[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 20 (Thursday, February 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E246]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING PARKER ANNEX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

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                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 2007

  Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor the 
outstanding achievements of the fifth grade mathematics team at Parker 
Annex Elementary School in Trenton, New Jersey.
  Recently, The Parker Annex Elementary School's fifth-grade 
``lsotope6NJ'' team was recognized as the #1 ranked mathematics team in 
the First In Math Online Program. To earn this distinction, they out-
performed more than 10,000 online teams comprised of 300,000 students 
from 30 other states. Led by fifth-grade teacher Edward Butler, this 
extraordinary group of inner-city students overcame obstacles such as 
lack of computers at home and a late start to this year's competition 
to become the top-ranked math team in the country. Additionally, Parker 
Annex teams ``ember31NJ'' and ``music22NJ'' are currently ranked 2nd 
and 3rd in New Jersey, respectively.
  I am delighted by the students' achievement and proud of Trenton, but 
I am not surprised by what their collective will and substantial effort 
have achieved. This is the predictable result of a community effort to 
invest in the potential of its emerging minds. It showcases how 
motivated students, caring parents, dedicated teachers, and committed 
school administrators can cooperate to build a team that represents not 
only its students' best efforts but also an example of what makes 
Trenton a truly capital city.
  This laudable achievement also highlights why I have always been and 
continue to be an advocate for math and science education. Math and 
science education in the elementary grades is foundational to the 
growth of our New Jersey students and an academically literate 
citizenry. Inquiry-based science and math curricula are necessary to 
allow students to explore their world critically and experientially, 
which is shown to increase intrinsic motivation and further interest in 
science.
  The success of the program at Parker Annex Elementary School is a 
tribute to the students, faculty, administration, and the scientific 
community. I applaud the success of team ``lsotope6NJ'' and wish the 
students of Parker Annex continued success in their academic endeavors.

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