[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 17 (Wednesday, February 16, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  A TRIBUTE TO THE A.P. GIANNINI MIDDLE SCHOOL ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 
                            50TH ANNIVERSARY

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                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 16, 2005

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in 
celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the A.P. Giannini Middle School of 
San Francisco, which is located in my Congressional district. This 
extraordinary middle school has long been known for its academic 
promise and delivering students who are well prepared to area high 
schools.
  This school is named after Amaedo Peter (A.P.) Giannini, who started 
the Bank of Italy in 1904, with the then unheard of concept of 
providing banking services for the ``little fellows,'' the hard-working 
immigrants that other banks refused to serve. After the devastating 
earthquake of 1906, A.P. Giannini immediately set up a temporary bank. 
Almost every building in the city had been destroyed, and he went about 
collecting deposits, making loans, and proclaiming to all that San 
Francisco would rise from the ashes. Mr. Giannini ensured that many 
hard working immigrants could get their piece of the American dream by 
loaning them money when no other banks would. Under his watchful eye, 
this little bank, which started in a converted saloon, expanded rapidly 
throughout the State of California and in 1930 he renamed his 
institution the Bank of America.
  Mr. Speaker, the middle school, which now bears his name, was opened 
in the Sunset District of San Francisco in September of 1954, but 
renamed after Mr. Giannini on January 26, 1955. Although Mr. Giannini 
had passed away six years earlier, both his widow and daughter Claire 
were present for the ceremony to dedicate the school. Today the school 
serves children from grades 6 to 8, with an average enrollment of 1,300 
students. It routinely tests well above the California and national 
average, and over a quarter of the students study in the Gifted and 
Talented Education (GATE) program.
  A.P. Giannini Middle School provides students with a diverse learning 
environment and as well as a lesson of tolerance. Like A.P. Giannini 
back in the early 1900's, A.P. Giannini Middle School gives their 
students a chance to achieve the American dream. The staff of A.P. 
Giannini Middle School deserves credit for providing their students 
with the tools they will need in high school and throughout life.
  Mr. Speaker, throughout the last 50 years, A.P. Giannini Middle 
School has proven what dedicated staff members, counselors and teachers 
can do. The students are exemplars in the community and should be 
commended. I would also like to thank the Giannini family for their 
continued support of the school that shared so much of the vision of 
Mr. Giannini. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
A.P. Giannini Middle School Day, with me on February 17, 2005.

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