[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 137 (Friday, September 25, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING SOUTH TEXAS ACADEMIC RISING SCHOLARS

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                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 25, 2009

  Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the leadership 
of the South Texas Academic Rising Scholars (STARS) organization. This 
nonprofit organization has been critical in helping local students 
obtain higher education at schools of their choosing.
  The South Texas Academic Rising Scholars was established in October 
2002, with the goal of making higher education accessible to the 
students of south Texas.
  Higher education is the gateway to advancing one's future. As one of 
eight children born to migrant parents in the border town of Laredo, 
Texas, I value the significance education has in our lives. There's no 
doubt that my education has charted the course of my public service 
career. As a Hispanic-American, education helped me defy odds which 
still exist for millions of minorities today.
  As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month we should recognize the role 
higher education plays in progressing minority communities and 
dissolving the disparities. With education comes opportunity; it's an 
undeniable equation that makes a difference in people's lives.
  The STARS Student Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to qualified 
students of south Texas annually and partners with area colleges and 
universities to better serve the students of south Texas. To this day, 
STARS has been able to award thousands of scholarships to south Texas 
students. I join the organization in the belief that education is 
essential to the growth and enhancement of our community.
  The success of STARS is not only due to those managing the program, 
but also in large part due to generous individuals, businesses, and 
organizations that support the organization. I am proud to say that 100 
percent of every dollar contributed by sponsors goes toward student 
scholarships. The board of directors is comprised of a diverse group of 
community leaders dedicated to helping south Texas students achieve 
higher education.
  This truly is a grassroots effort that has given thousands students 
in south Texas opportunities that wouldn't have existed otherwise.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had the time to recognize the 
goals and endeavors of the South Texas Academic Rising Scholars.

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