[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 6, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   BEST COMMUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

 Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, each year, the America's Promise 
Alliance names the 100 Best Communities for Young People in the Nation. 
Today, I am proud to honor five Minnesota towns that have achieved this 
tremendous designation--Landfall, Mankato, Northfield, Saint Louis 
Park, and Saint Paul, MN.
  The 100 Best Communities for Young People is an annual competition 
that recognizes outstanding community-wide efforts that improve the 
well-being of youth and inspire other localities to take action.
  There is apparently much to find inspiration from, as two previous 
award winners have now become five--a strong showing from the great 
State of Minnesota.
  Each of these five Minnesota communities demonstrated a commitment to 
community support of children through resources including effective 
education, safe gathering places, and a wide range of programming. 
Their commitment generates real outcomes in the form of high graduation 
rates and educational achievement, healthy behaviors, and civic 
engagement by their young population.
  Landfall, MN, is a small town with big plans for its young people. A 
town of just 700, they place a premium on expanding the horizons of 
young people. They provide students with ``Extra Innings,'' a tutoring 
and mentoring program that gives elementary through high school 
students one-on-one help with math, reading, and English as a second 
language.
  Mankato, MN, a three-time winner of this honor, prides itself on 
embracing young people to help them reach their fullest potential. 
Among their initiatives is the LinkCrew, which pairs high school 
freshmen with junior and senior year mentors to help them make a 
successful transition to high school. And, as the town that raised six 
Bessler boys, including my husband John, I know firsthand of the high-
caliber young people Mankato produces.
  Northfield, MN, used to be a farm town, centered between corn and 
wheat fields. Now, anchored by two of our Nation's preeminent colleges, 
Carleton College and Saint Olaf College, Northfield has become an 
enriching place for young people. The Mayor's Youth Council allows 
students ages 15 to 18 to advise the mayor and city council on issues 
related to the young population.
  Saint Louis Park, MN, is also a three-time winner. They welcome youth 
into their process of government, inviting them to participate in 
decisionmaking on special neighborhood and community issues. Among 
other attractions, it is home to 51 parks thanks to the city's 
initiative to reserve a percentage of all city land for public parks. 
And in a special nod to its young population, the city's Web site lists 
the best sledding hills in its community.
  Saint Paul, MN, is our State's capital city and a shining example of 
how to engage children after school hours. Through the Second Shift and 
After School Initiatives, they provide positive places for children to 
spend their afternoons, develop new skills, and obtain academic 
assistance.
  From his theatre in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota's native son, 
Garrison Keillor, refers to his fictional Minnesota town of Lake 
Wobegon as a place where ``all the women are strong, all the men are 
good-looking, and all the children are above average.'' These five 
towns have certainly proven Keillor's words are more truth than 
fiction.
  I am proud to represent five of America's Best Communities for Young 
People and to congratulate them before the U.S. Senate.

                          ____________________