[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 26, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E246]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING MARISSA JUNIOR & SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL FOR RECEIVING A BRONZE 
   MEDAL AS ONE OF U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT'S ``AMERICA'S BEST HIGH 
                               SCHOOLS''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 26, 2008

  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
join me in congratulating Marissa Junior & Senior High School, in 
Marissa, Illinois, for receiving a bronze medal as one of ``America's 
Best High Schools'' as determined by U.S. News & World Report.
  Our future will be determined, to a great extent, by the success of 
our Nation's high schools in preparing our next generation of leaders, 
innovators and problem-solvers. Our students must be able to compete 
for the highly skilled jobs that are driving economic growth. For these 
reasons, our schools must continually challenge themselves in pursuit 
of educational excellence. This designation from U.S. News & World 
Report clearly shows that Marissa Junior & Senior High School is doing 
a good job in this regard.
  U.S. News & World Report looked at over 18,000 high schools from 
across the country and ranked them according to specific, objective 
criteria. In order to be considered for the top rankings, a school must 
perform above other schools in its State. This includes evaluation of 
reading and math testing with consideration for percentage of 
disadvantaged students. Additional evaluations looked at the 
performance of the least advantaged students as well as those top-
performing, college bound students.
  Of the over 18,000 schools evaluated through this process, less than 
1,600 (about 9 percent) were awarded gold, silver or bronze medals. 
Marissa Junior & Senior High School being named to this elite group is 
a testament to the careful planning and support by the board and 
administration, the dedication, preparation and instructional 
excellence of the faculty and staff and the hard work and high level of 
achievement on the part of the students.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
board members of Marissa School District #40 as well as the 
administration, faculty, staff and students of Marissa Junior & Senior 
High School for their recognition as one of the best high schools in 
the United States.




                          ____________________