[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 34 (Thursday, February 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E501-E502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  EXEMPLARY STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GREGORY W. MEEKS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2009

  Mr. MEEKS of New York. Madam Speaker, There are wonderful examples of 
academic achievement and community service taking place in Southeast 
Queens high schools. Many students throughout the New York 
Congressional 6th District are performing at such a high level in their 
academic work and community activities that it deserves public 
recognition. I have been so inspired that I initiated the Exemplary 
Student Achievement (ESA) award program to honor these young citizens 
who are emerging as our community's future leaders.
  Since the inception of the ESA program in September 2008, I have 
partnered with administrators and faculty in various Southeast Queens 
high schools to identify and honor worthy students. It has been my 
privilege to award the following students with Congressional 
Achievement Awards:
  Andrew Sargeant of Business, Computer Applications & Entrepreneurship 
Magnet High School
  Brian Herb of Queens High School for the Sciences at York College
  Chandraika Niranjan of Math, Science Research & Technology Magnet 
High School
  Clevelyn Murray of Humanities & the Arts High School
  Deborah Hector of Humanities & the Arts High School
  Dookumarie Persaud of Jamaica High School
  Kevin Thom of Humanities & the Arts High School
  LeeAnn Anderson of Queens High School
  Mariama Donzo of Hillcrest High School
  Marquise Moore of Business, Computer Applications & Entrepreneurship 
Magnet High School
  Miriam Gonzalez of Hillcrest High School
  Oniyebiyi Hinton of Humanities & the Arts High School
  Peter Brown of Math, Science Research & Technology Magnet High School
  Philipnary Thuyamany of Jamaica High School
  Reaz Khan of Jamaica High School
  Robin Singh of Queens High School for the Sciences at York College
  Shannon Gordon of Humanities and the Arts High School

[[Page E502]]

  Shelly Lekhraj of Business, Computer Applications & Entrepreneurship 
Magnet High School
  Tracy Ganga of Jamaica High School
  Tracy Mangal of Hillcrest High School
  Zora Jiles of Jamaica High School
  Through their strong commitment to academic excellence and community 
service, these high school students have established themselves as peer 
role models amongst their classmates. I am proud to have such stellar 
students emerging within the Southeast Queens community. I encourage 
them all to continue their academic studies and social development at a 
higher education institution. I look to them to continue representing 
the high standards that our district's families, schools, and community 
organizations promote. The people of Southeast Queens look to these 
youth to utilize their academic knowledge, practical skills, and social 
networks to strengthen our community's cultural, civic, business, and 
political institutions.
  It takes a village to raise a child, so it is important that I also 
recognize the family members, guardians, teachers, administrators, 
counselors, coaches, and mentors who have provided these students with 
the guidance and resources making it possible for them to blossom into 
exemplary young leaders. I thank all of these individuals for their 
dedication and contributions to our youth and our community's future.

                          ____________________