[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 71 (Monday, May 23, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING ZOE FROMER, KIRILL SAFIN, AND IZAAL LAKHIA OF ATLANTIC 
     HIGH SCHOOL IN DELRAY BEACH, FL ON THE FOUNDING OF INITIATIVE 
                              RENAISSANCE

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 23, 2011

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I proudly recognize Zoe Fromer, 
Kirill Safin, and Izaal Lakhia of Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, 
Florida as Hastings' Star Students. When state budget cuts to education 
forced their school to cut back on arts programs, these young people 
took the task of saving these programs into their own hands. They 
formed Initiative Renaissance, an aptly named organization that raises 
funds to restore classes such as drama, musical engineering and chorus. 
The organization's $100,000 fundraising goal would help improve arts 
facilities and expand the school's band and visual arts programs. Their 
mission has garnered national recognition and Initiative Renaissance 
was accepted into the Pepsi Refresh Project with a chance to win a 
$50,000 grant.
  Zoe, Kirill, and Izaal's passion for attaining a well-rounded 
education demonstrates the folly of cutting funding to arts and 
education. All students deserve a public education that fully prepares 
them to compete in the 21st century.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud that these young people chose to fight to 
save their school's arts programs and applaud their dedication and 
perseverance to this project, which has undoubtedly been beneficial to 
the entire community.

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