[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 72 (Thursday, June 8, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H3629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING THE YOUNGSTOWN CONNECTION

  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak out 
of order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from Ohio 
is recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
Youngstown Connection. This group of exceptional students from the 
Youngstown city schools serves as ambassadors of our valley throughout 
the Nation and the world.
  The Youngstown Connection is comprised of 12 high school students 
from Youngstown city schools. They are skilled in all areas of the 
performing arts including theater, dance, and music.
  The talents of the Youngstown Connection have been showcased at 
National venues, including the Kennedy Center and the Washington 
National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., the Lincoln Center, and the 
Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City. Across the globe they 
have performed at the World War II D-Day commemorations in Normandy, 
Paris, and London, Austria's Millennial Celebration of Music in Vienna, 
and the Berlin Wall Freedom Celebration in cities throughout Germany.
  Many of the students come from a variety of socioeconomic 
backgrounds, and through the Youngstown Connection they are able to 
explore opportunities they may not have otherwise been granted.
  It has been widely reported, Mr. Speaker, that students of the arts 
continue to outperform their peers who for one reason or another have 
not taken courses in the arts. According to the College Entrants 
Examination Board, in 2005 SAT scores of students with coursework or 
experience in the arts scored between 25 and 65 points higher in the 
verbal section and an average of 28 points higher in the math section 
than those with no arts coursework. 100 percent of Youngstown 
Connection students graduate from high school, and 97 percent go on to 
graduate from college. The focus, the discipline, and the motivation 
the students gain throughout these experiences in the Youngstown 
Connection remains with them throughout their lives.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, several alumni of the program are at the top of 
their career fields, including several professional performers. 
Lawrence Brownlee, who went on to gain a Master of Music degree from 
Indiana University, is an opera singer who is considered one of the top 
young tenors in the entire world. He has performed in every major opera 
house worldwide and currently has a contract with the Metropolitan 
Opera. Another Youngstown Connection alumnus, Timothy Gordon, is a 
professional dancer and teacher in New York who has performed with, 
amongst others, Alicia Keys. Three former alumni are currently pursuing 
Ph.D.'s from universities across the country in fields such as cancer 
and heart research.
  Mr. Speaker, all children in every school need the same opportunities 
as these kids. Imagine the potential that could be unleashed across the 
country. Let us give these kids the opportunity that they deserve. 
These students learn the value of giving back to their community 
through service projects to help the homeless. The group also raises 
their own funds for travel, costumes, and other expenses through the 
use of fund-raising activities and generous donations from private 
citizens and groups. The Youngstown Connection provides these young 
adults with the opportunity to share their love of the arts and promote 
the message of brotherhood and peace throughout the world.
  I am proud of the Youngstown Connection, Mr. Speaker, and because of 
them the future of our community in northeast Ohio and the country is 
in good hands.

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