[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1347-E1348]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING HIGH SCHOOL VALEDICTORIANS OF GRADUATING CLASS OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. GREGORY W. MEEKS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 23, 2008

  Mr. MEEKS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
honor the achievements of America's high school valedictorians and the 
graduating class of 2008.

[[Page E1348]]

With House Resolution 1229, I know that I capture the sentiment of all 
Members of the 110th Congress in promoting the importance of 
intellectual growth and the academic excellence of America's graduating 
high school students. In my southeast Queens community, New York's 
Sixth Congressional District, I personally know that great achievements 
have taking place in the high schools servicing my young constituents. 
My district's graduating seniors have achieved a major milestone in 
their educational and social development. With this accomplishment, I 
now encourage these young adults to take their next major step towards 
becoming our Nation's future leaders and engaged citizens by entering 
higher education institutions or by beginning their young careers.
  For this graduation celebration, I want to specifically recognize the 
stellar accomplishments of our Nation's high school Valedictorians. 
Each year, every high school recognizes an individual student who has 
risen above his or her fellow students through their consistency of 
intellectual inquiry, in their demonstration of academic discipline, 
and their utilization of teacher mentoring. Through their dedication 
and hard work, these students have attained the position of top 
academically ranked student within their graduating class and are 
honored as the ``Valedictorian'' at their graduation ceremony. 
Throughout their high school careers, Valedictorians have served as 
peer role models to fellow high school students by 
succeeding academically and contributing to community improvement. It 
is their example that shines clearly to their fellow students and 
community members, demonstrating the dedication and drive that it takes 
to become America's future civic, business, and political leaders, and 
maintaining our Nation's global leadership position through 
strengthening its economic competitiveness.

  During this graduation season, let us not forget that no child 
achieves alone, but rather it takes an entire community to rear a 
socially and educationally mature child. Along with our Nation's 
valedictorians and graduating class, I want to recognize and honor the 
love, support, and contributions of the parents, community members, 
teachers, and school administrators, who have provided these students 
with the resources and guidance needed to achieve. It has been the 
selfless contributions of these individuals who have nurtured the 
intellectual growth and rewarded the academic achievements of our 
Nation's valedictorians and graduating seniors.
  In closing, I make the call to all graduating seniors to further 
their intellectual interests and academic studies by enrolling in 
universities and postsecondary educational institutions and to continue 
their social engagement, utilizing their knowledge and skills for the 
betterment of their communities and the social, cultural, and economic 
advancement of our great Nation.

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