[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1936-E1937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 BROOKLYN CENTER HIGH SCHOOL BAND PLAYS AN AMAZING, GRAMMY-WINNING TUNE

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                            HON. JIM RAMSTAD

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I come before you today with an uplifting 
story of a high school band from the Third Congressional District of 
Minnesota.
  Christine Porter, the Director of the Brooklyn Center High School 
Band, has done amazing things with the band and in the process has 
touched the lives of numerous young people and their parents. And the 
entire Brooklyn Center community has rallied around these inspirational 
students with an uplifting melody of support and encouragement.
  The band program was in jeopardy when Chris Porter took over and 
turned the program around. Now, the band has received high praise from 
many places--including the Grammys! In fact, they received their Grammy 
right here in the Nation's Capital at the Grammy Enterprise Signature 
School Award at the ``Grammys on the Hill'' event.
  I had the great pleasure of meeting Director Porter and one of her 
talented musicians, Chanel Chathum, who were in Washington for the 
event.
  Mr. Speaker, the Brooklyn Center High School Band program, which 
serves many students from disadvantaged families, was in disarray and 
far short of instruments, funding and

[[Page E1937]]

teachers when Ms. Porter took over. She took immediate steps, such as 
finding music students from the University of Minnesota to teach the 
band members. And she reached out to the community, and the community 
responded.
  Mr. Speaker, the crescendo of support started with the Brooklyn 
Center Rotary Club, which saw the problem and marched forward. Under 
the leadership of ``Mr. Brooklyn Center,'' Phil Cohen, past Rotary 
President Carrie Engh of Bremer Bank Brooklyn Center and current 
President Frank Slawson of American Express Financial Planners, the 
Rotary Club contributed $10,000.
  The Lions Club also made financial contributions and the Brooklyn 
Center Business Association held a golf tournament to help the band. 
And the Brooklyn Center Taxpayers Association pitched in, too. The 
people of Brooklyn Center have really come together to support the 
band.
  Mr. Speaker, Ms. Porter's inspired leadership and the band's hard 
work resulted in the Grammy Foundation personally delivering the 
$15,000 Grammy Enterprise Award to the band at Brooklyn Center High 
School!
  Chris Porter and Chanel Chathum received a well-deserved standing 
ovation. The tremendous outpouring of affection and support for the 
band made it all worthwhile!
  The story of the Brooklyn Center High School Band even brought tears 
to the eyes of singer Kelly Clarkson, who was a guest of honor at the 
event. The story reminded Clarkson of her own high school band, and the 
story has warmed all of our hearts.
  From the trombones to the tubas, the Brooklyn Center High Band is 
truly playing a joyful tune! There was a lot of hard work that went 
into this masterpiece.
  Thank you, Chris Porter and the wonderful Brooklyn Center High School 
Band, for bringing so much great music into our lives and the lives of 
young people. You have all showed us that hard work, creativity, talent 
and the right instruments can make a beautiful song!

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