[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 133 (Friday, September 9, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING JULIE YOUNG, RECIPIENT OF THE 2011 HAROLD W. McGRAW, JR. 
                           PRIZE IN EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL WEBSTER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 9, 2011

  Mr. WEBSTER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to recognize 
Ms. Julie Young upon receiving the 2011 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in 
Education. Ms. Young is highly regarded for her hard work and 
dedication to improving education in this country and for helping to 
create a smarter, better educated world.
  Ms. Young is President and CEO of the nation's largest and most 
influential virtual program: Florida Virtual School. Her journey began 
with a love for teaching and a dedication to learning that dates back 
to childhood. Today, she is passionate about the positive impact that 
Florida Virtual School has on thousands of families. I have been 
fortunate to work with Ms. Young as the Florida Virtual School has 
grown from 77 students in 1997 to its current enrollment of over 
130,000 K-12 students.
  Ms. Young's interest in combining technology and learning began when 
she served as a teacher trainer for a partnership between her school 
district and IBM. That experience also ignited her with the vision to 
apply proven business principles to education. She interacts regularly 
with business, education, and policy leaders across the nation to shape 
the future of learning, and she sees Florida Virtual School playing a 
significant role.
  Ms. Young is also excited about the opportunities online education 
and blended learning models have provided for the profession. These 
innovations help to retain great teachers who might have otherwise left 
the field. She takes particular pleasure in identifying and growing 
leaders.
  In addition to directing the work of 1,500 employees, Ms. Young is a 
frequent national speaker. She serves on the Board of the United States 
Distance Learning Association, International Association for K-12 
Online Learning, Florida Learning Alliance, Florida TaxWatch Center for 
Educational Performance and Accountability, Florida Sterling Council 
Board of Directors, K-12 Blackboard Advisory Council Member, and 
Microsoft K-12 Advisory Council Member Assistant. She was also 
recognized by Technology & Learning Magazine as one of the Top 30 
influencers in Ed Tech, along with Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. In 2003, 
she was inducted into the United States Distance Learning Association 
``Hall of Fame.''
  On behalf of the citizens of Florida's 8th Congressional District, I 
congratulate and applaud Ms. Young for her work. She is most deserving 
of the 2011 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education as she inspires 
others to follow in her footsteps.

                          ____________________