[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 22 (Thursday, February 9, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E173-E174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING PRINCIPAL YVETTE AGUIRRE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 9, 2012

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a pillar of the Sunset 
Park community, an educator and an advocate for Brooklyn's children. 
Today, a wing of PS 169 is being dedicated to honor Mrs. Aguirre's 
years of service to the children of Sunset Park. As a teacher, Mrs. 
Aguirre saw firsthand the needs and potential of our children. She 
recognized that, when given the resources and opportunity to learn in 
the right environment, every child can become a successful member of 
the community. In that regard, she has been a steadfast champion for 
relieving overcrowding in our schools and neighborhoods. She 
successfully led a campaign that united the parents of Sunset Park and 
helped them coalesce behind a vision of better schools, smaller class 
sizes and a stronger community.
  In 1997, Sunset Park opened Public School 24, an institution that has 
now served thousands of our community's children. Mrs. Aguirre became 
the school's first Principal. In that role she was always committed to 
ensuring students and classrooms were held to high expectations. That 
guiding philosophy, coupled with strong faculty development and 
mentoring, served as a recipe for success for all those who passed 
through PS 24's doors over the years.
  While Mrs. Aguirre is now retired, Sunset Park's residents remember 
her many contributions. Naming a school wing after this prominent 
leader, woman, educator, principal and mentor is a fitting tribute to 
her legacy. The name of Principal Yvette Aguirre will remind students 
and the community of the work of a proud Latina, a positive role model 
and a champion for education.
  Mr. Speaker, talented and passionate educators are a gift. They give 
of themselves tirelessly in an effort to improve our communities and 
ensure our children have access to opportunity. Mrs. Aguirre is one of 
those educators and, today, I would ask all my colleagues to join me in 
honoring her many achievements.

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