[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 114 (Thursday, September 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      BURLINGAME HIGH SCHOOL, 83 YEARS YOUNG AND BETTER THAN EVER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2006

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, in November 2000 the voters of San Mateo 
County in California, many of whom are my constituents, made a wise 
decision to approve a general bond measure that would fund the 
renovation of the six local high schools. The fruits of this investment 
will proudly be displayed on September 16, 2006 when the newly-
remodeled Burlingame High School is officially opened with a ribbon-
cutting ceremony.
  Burlingame High was built in 1923 as a northern addition to the fast-
growing San Mateo High School. Originally named ``San Mateo High 
School--Burlingame Branch,'' it quickly came into its own, and 4 years 
later Burlingame High gained its own identity. That year, many 
longstanding BHS traditions were born, including the Little-Big Game 
with San Mateo High, the adoption of the school colors--red and white--
and the establishment of the student newspaper, the Burlingame B, with 
its extraordinary motto, ``Not the Biggest, but the Best.''
  Since its inception 83 years ago, Burlingame's enrollment has swelled 
from 350 to more than 1350 students and its teaching corps has doubled. 
Recognized for its academic excellence as a California Distinguished 
School, Burlingame has also been ranked in the top 1.5 percent of high 
schools in America by Newsweek magazine. The students and their 
families deserve great credit, but it is also thanks to the efforts of 
a dedicated faculty and administration that, on average, 97 percent of 
the school's graduates attend college.
  Mr. Speaker, the modernization efforts being recognized at the 
ribbon-cutting ceremony have preserved the original building's 
historically significant appearance for generations of students to 
appreciate. In addition to maintaining the main building's exterior and 
interior--including a unique WPA-era mural--this project included two 
new, seismically sound structures to house a library and a two-story 
classroom building.
  The new library will accommodate 25,000 volumes and provides much-
needed storage space for textbooks. It also includes a state-of-the-art 
computer lab. The treasured work areas where thousands of students 
through the years have hit the books in the old library are replicated 
in this modern version.
  The new, two-story classroom structure replaces an antiquated music 
building. It now not only accommodates the renowned Burlingame High 
School music program, but also seven large science labs, special 
education classrooms and nine classrooms designed specifically for math 
instruction.
  Mr. Speaker, the taxpayers of San Mateo County made a crucial 
investment in their children's education by approving that bond measure 
6 years ago. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in celebrating 
Burlingame High School's wonderful renovation, which will ensure that 
future generations continue to receive an excellent education at this 
historic institution.

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