[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E141-E142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     COMMEMORATION OF THE VISIT OF THE BLACKWATER COMMUNITY SCHOOL 
            DELEGATION TO WASHINGTON, DC, FEBRUARY 14, 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 14, 2006

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a delegation 
from my district visiting our Nation's Capital. This delegation 
represents the Blackwater Community School on the Gila River Indian 
Reservation, who belong to the Akimel O'Otham.
  I would like to acknowledge Henry Pino, president of the Blackwater 
Community School Board; board member Francisco Osife; board secretary 
Peggy Winchester; and the superintendent and principal of the school, 
Jacquelyn Power. Through the talent and commitment of these 
individuals, the students of Blackwater are in great hands. Blackwater 
Community School has a motto--``Quality Education Begins Here.'' It was 
evident in our discussion today that these educators and administrators 
live up to such an inspiring motto every day.
  Blackwater Community School was built in 1939, it was the first 
operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Arizona, and still educates 
children and families in its historic, refurbished buildings. The 
children are in grades kindergarten through second, and a charter 
expanded the student enrollment to third and fourth grades.
  Blackwater has led the way as the highest performing school 
determined by federal and state officials. Most recently, the National 
Indian School Board Association honored the school with its coveted 4Cs 
Award.

[[Page E142]]

  The school also has one of the most successful family literacy 
programs in the nation that educates pre-school children and their 
parents together. The program is called Family and Child Education 
(FACE), the FACE program at Blackwater has earned an enviable 
reputation as a proud member of the National Adult Education Honor 
Society.
  I would like to offer my congratulations to the distinguished 
delegation from Blackwater Community School for the tremendous job that 
they are doing on the Gila River Indian Reservation.

                          ____________________