[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 12, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 BELCHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA CELEBRATES ITS 50TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 2010

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, a major celebration takes place 
in Clearwater, Florida, this Friday as Belcher Elementary School 
celebrates its 50th anniversary of educating Pinellas County's youth.
  Under the direction of Principal John DiLeo, Belcher Elementary moved 
into its new brick building on January 4, 1960 and under his leadership 
for the next eight years it grew into a fixture of the community. 
Principal DiLeo left Belcher in 1968, but missed the school so much 
that he returned for another 10 year stint as principal from 1978-1988.
  He was the first of seven principals that have each left there mark 
on Belcher. Lisa Roth is the current principal and since arriving in 
2003 she has helped usher Belcher into the new age of high technology 
including white boards in the classrooms.
  Belcher has always been on the cutting edge of technology. It was in 
1989 that the entire school was wired for cable television and with 
that came the Belcher Bobcat News or BBN. It was the county's first 
student produced news show for an elementary school, brought to life by 
fifth-grade teacher Linda Callahan, who continues to oversee production 
of the program.
  Eight years later, Belcher took the next technological leap as the 
school was wired for internet access, which brings the world to the 
fingertips of every student.
  Many of the advancements at Belcher Elementary have come through the 
support of the school's award-winning PTA organization. In addition to 
the events the PTA sponsors for the students and staff, the 
organization has taken special pride in the improvements it has made to 
the school facility and grounds. One of its landmark achievements was 
the opening of a nature center, which turned some unused area on school 
grounds into a native Florida ecosystem. With Florida's beautiful 
weather, this has become an outdoor classroom where students learn and 
where they work to maintain its natural elements.
  Belcher's motto is ``Believe--Act--Achieve'' and the students, 
teachers, volunteers and support staff live that out every day. 
Likewise the core values of Belcher's staff--Education, Integrity and 
Community--are widely apparent with the many awards the school has 
received. Most recently, Belcher was recognized with a 2009 Bronze 
Award for the National Alliance for a Healthier Generation Program. It 
is a Positive Behavior Model School and has received a Golden School 
Award for community involvement for the last 26 years.
  Madam Speaker, some of the Belcher Bobcats joined us for a visit here 
at the Capitol last week and they all will be back home Friday for the 
school's big celebration. It is my hope that my colleagues will join me 
in congratulating the students, faculty, staff, parents and volunteers 
of Belcher Elementary School for 50 years of educational excellence.

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