[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 131 (Wednesday, September 16, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  CONGRATULATING THE YES PREP PUBLIC SCHOOLS-NORTH CENTRAL CAMPUS ON 
                  THEIR 2009 BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL AWARD

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                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 16, 2009

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the YES 
Prep Public Schools-North Central Campus in our district for their 
dedication to academic excellence that has earned them the honored 
distinction of being a Blue Ribbon School in 2009.
  Since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Schools 
Program has honored many of America's most successful schools, and I am 
proud of YES Prep Public Schools-North Central Campus for all of its 
hard work towards and dedication to achieving the high academic 
standards that have earned them this award. The Blue Ribbon Award 
honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are 
academically superior or have made dramatic gains in student 
achievement and helped close achievement gaps among minority and 
disadvantaged students. This year 314 schools earned this coveted 
award.
  YES Prep Public Schools-North Central Campus is a school that strives 
to increase the number of low-income Houstonians who graduate from a 
four-year college prepared to compete in the global marketplace and 
committed to improving disadvantaged communities. Under the supervision 
of Principal Mr. Mark DiBella, YES also works to develop students who 
are active in the community. YES stands for Youth Engaged in Service 
and students dedicate one Saturday each month to community service 
projects. YES also requires that students participate in longer school 
days, college research trips, summer school and summer opportunities--
80 percent of YES' student base is comprised of economically 
disadvantaged individuals, and their motto is `to do whatever it takes' 
to improve themselves and their horizons through educational resources 
provided through the school. YES Prep Public Schools-North Central 
Campus serves as an example that through hard work much can be 
achieved.
  They are an inspiration for all schools in the Houston area, and I 
congratulate the administration, teachers, parents, and students at YES 
Prep Public Schools-North Central Campus on this great accomplishment.

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