[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1971]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING CRESTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

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                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this 
opportunity to pay tribute to Crestwood Elementary School in Fairfax 
County, Virginia as it prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
  Since its establishment in 1956, Crestwood Elementary School has 
committed itself to lofty standards of academic and extracurricular 
excellence. Over the years, as the Springfield area has expanded and 
diversified, Crestwood has followed the community's example.
  In 1950, the Springfield area consisted of nothing but woods and a 
few farms and houses. Edward Carr bought much of the land and in 1950 
started to build the first planned community in northern Virginia. He 
gave some land to the community for the school and the first community 
pool was built here because of the land he donated. The area grew 
slowly, with few community resources. Little League was started in 
1955. There were no schools here until 1956. All of the school children 
had to go out of the area. In those days, Springfield was the outermost 
edge of the Washington area.
  Since its inception, Crestwood Elementary has been an integral part 
of the Springfield, Virginia, community. Originally costing $595,585, 
when the school was constructed there was one telephone booth per 
street, milk and bakery items were delivered weekly to residents, and 
the primary mode of transportation was the train. Over the past 50 
years, the Crestwood community has become a very progressive community 
in the heart of the Springfield area and educates hundreds of students 
each year. With the addition of the Family Resource Center, Crestwood 
is a true community school working with parents and children building a 
better future for the entire Crestwood community.
  The mission of Crestwood Elementary School is to offer each student 
the skills, knowledge, and experiences necessary to be successful 
students and productive members of society. The staff envisions a 
school where academic excellence is paramount, the arts are celebrated, 
cultural and linguistic diversity is honored, and all learners meet 
their personal academic goals. Over the years ethnic and cultural 
diversity have brought a unique spirit to the school, as it continues 
its commitment to academic excellence.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank Crestwood Elementary 
School faculty and staff for the immeasurable contributions they have 
made to the community by shaping today's youth and tomorrow's future. I 
congratulate the school on its successes over the last 50 years and I 
wish it more successful years in the future. I ask that my colleagues 
join me in applauding this outstanding and distinguished institution, 
as well as the committed faculty and students.

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