[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 142 (Thursday, September 22, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MICHAEL FORAN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER S. MURPHY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2011

  Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary service of Michael Foran, the 2012 MetLife/NASSP National 
High School Principal of the Year. A native of Newington, Connecticut, 
Mr. Foran has worked for 20 years within the New Britain school 
district and became Principal of New Britain High School in 2006. In 
this time, he has been instrumental in providing the 2,700 students of 
New Britain High School with the foundation they will need to succeed 
in today's competitive economy.
  Among many of his notable initiatives, Mr. Foran's focus on career 
education led to the start of the New Britain Academy for Health 
Professions, which helps students prepare for careers in health care. 
He has also greatly expanded the school's mentoring programs for at-
risk students. Despite school budget reductions and layoffs, Foran has 
sustained and advanced his school's reputation by building a more 
collaborative work environment between administrators, teachers and 
ancillary staff. As a result, since 2006, test scores have risen, more 
students are taking AP courses, and fewer students are dropping out. 
This can be credited to better instruction due to Foran's excellent 
leadership attributes, which were essential in awarding him the honor 
of National Principal of the Year.
  The MetLife/NASSP program honors secondary school principals who have 
arrived at administering distinctive learning opportunities for 
students. High school and middle school principals from every state in 
the nation are nominated. From this accomplished pool, 6 finalists are 
chosen as contenders to be named Principal of the Year. This program 
recognizes the very pivotal role that principals such as Mr. Foran play 
in the education system as leaders and role models who excel in 
maintaining a positive community for both students and teachers.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that we can all learn from Mr. Foran's 
dedication to education and service, and so I ask my colleagues to join 
me, and the people of Connecticut, in recognizing Michael Foran as the 
National Principal of the Year.

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