[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 63 (Friday, May 19, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E886]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THANK YOU HERRERA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

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                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 18, 2006

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the Fifth 
Grade students of Herrera Elementary which is in my Congressional 
District for coming to visit us last week on their class field trip.
  They came to Washington on their Fifth Grade class trip to learn 
about our Government and the history of our country. During their 5-day 
visit, they managed to visit Mt. Vernon and learn about George 
Washington and what it was like during the colonial era.
  They toured several museums in the Smithsonian. The Museum of 
American History, the Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of 
the American Indian were all favorites of the students.
  On their last full day in Washington, I met with the students of 
Herrera Elementary during their lunch break. No one knew that one of 
their most memorable experiences was yet to come.
  On our way to the Capitol steps to take a picture, an ABC news crew 
approached us to ask us if we knew the words to the national anthem. 
The students and I sang the national anthem on the Capitol steps and 
the students made it onto ABC's Nightline.
  The Students of Herrera Elementary did a great job when they sang the 
national anthem. They knew all the words and did not miss a note. This 
was also impressive because the news story on the national anthem 
stemmed from the controversy over a Spanish version of the national 
anthem.
  Almost all the students from Herrera Elementary are Hispanic and all 
of them sang the national anthem perfectly in English. They proved that 
patriotism lives in people of all ages and all nationalities.
  Again, I thank Principal Hector Rodriguez and the teachers and 
parents of Herrera Elementary for making the 5th Grade class trip 
possible. I especially thank the 5th Grade students for visiting our 
office and making their visit memorable by singing the national anthem 
on the steps of the Capitol.

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