[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 156 (Thursday, December 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2053-E2054]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING SUMMER KENNEDY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 2, 2010

  Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Summer Kennedy, 
my cousin, for her stewardship in the opening of the Robert F. Kennedy 
Community Schools Complex in Los Angeles, California on September 13, 
2010. Named after U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Summer's father and 
my uncle, the schools are devoted to social justice. Summer's work on 
behalf of the young people of Los Angeles is simply remarkable.
  On September 13, the six pilot schools that make up the Robert F. 
Kennedy Community Schools Complex began instructing students in grades 
kindergarten through 12th on its campus located in the Pico-Union/Korea 
Town neighborhood of Los Angeles. The schools are located on the site 
of the former Ambassador Hotel and because of the historic nature of 
the site, there were legal challenges to converting the site to a 
school. Community members and organizations, including RFK-12, came 
together to advocate for a local school. In 2005, the Los Angeles 
Unified School District School Board and Superintendent Roy Romer 
appointed the Robert F. Kennedy Commission to provide recommendations 
on how to memorialize Senator Kennedy's life. The commission was 
chaired by former California Supreme Court Justice Cruz Reynoso, and 
included a number of civic leaders.
  The Commission's major recommendation called for a social justice 
theme to permeate the curriculum, extending from kindergarten through 
high school that would reflect Senator Kennedy's commitment throughout 
his public life.
  The schools activities include: the creation of a foundation guided 
by an Advisory Committee that will help to fund social-justice related 
activities and act as a resource for the schools on establishing 
relationships with community service groups outside the school locally 
and in the larger world, a speakers program, a fellows program that 
will bring emerging and established leaders to the school, and the 
creation of a public park recalling the inspirational speeches by the 
Senator and others.
  The pilot schools are innovative small schools that have charter-like 
autonomy over their budget, curriculum and assessment, governance, 
schedule and staffing, but are part of the public school system.
  Summer has been instrumental in the improvement of public education 
in Los Angeles. I wish her all the best as she continues her important 
work on behalf of young people. She will continue to carry my own 
admiration, and that of all who have had the privilege to work with 
her.

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