[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 60 (Wednesday, April 25, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING LONGFELLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, 
 FOR BEING RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE FIRST ``GREEN RIBBON SCHOOLS'' IN 
                           THE UNITED STATES

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise proudly to congratulate 
Longfellow Elementary School located in my hometown of Long Beach, 
California, and the 37th Congressional District which I am proud to 
represent, on its designation by the U.S. Department of Education as 
one of the first-ever Green Ribbon Schools.
  According to Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Longfellow Elementary 
School was recognized for its outstanding achievements in the areas of 
environmental curriculum, energy reduction, campus recycling and water 
efficiency.
  The Green Ribbon Schools program is a federal recognition program 
that began in September 2011 under the leadership of President Obama, 
Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and Environmental Protection Agency 
Administrator Lisa Jackson. Honored schools embrace and exercise a 
comprehensive approach to creating ``green'' environments, which 
includes taking remedial action to reducing adverse environmental 
impacts, promoting health, and providing high-quality environmental 
instruction that prepares students with the skills and sustainability 
concepts needed to compete and win in the global economy of the 21st 
century.
  Green Ribbon Schools promote environmental education and learning as 
well as protect our children's health.
  Under the leadership of Principal Laurie Murrin, Longfellow 
Elementary School has successfully gone ``green'' by reducing energy 
use by 17 percent since 2004, has a 34 percent reduction in greenhouse 
gas emissions since 2003, and an increased recycling rate of 46 
percent. Also, 100 percent of the landscaping at the school is water-
efficient, and the District uses Compressed Natural Gas School Buses.
  Additionally, Longfellow Elementary School actively promoted 
environmental learning by implementing environmental programs on campus 
like Energy Star Recycling program, Water Quality and Efficiency 
program, Green Cleaning program, Safe Routes to School, School Garden, 
School Integrated Pest Management Program, Indoor Air Quality Program, 
as well as Environmental Education.
  This is a remarkable record and is all the more impressive given the 
economic background and demographic diversity of the Longfellow 
Elementary School student body. The student body is comprised of 1,080 
students, 30 percent of whom are Hispanic, 17 percent are African 
American, 5 percent Asian and Pacific Islander, and 28 percent 
Caucasian. Four in ten students receive free or reduced lunches.
  Despite their challenging backgrounds, the students at Longfellow 
Elementary School have shown that great things can happen if you are 
motivated, committed, and have the right leaders like Principal Murrin. 
As King Henry V exhorted his comrades in arms at the Battle of 
Agincourt, ``all things are ready if our minds be so.''
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Lions of Longfellow Elementary 
School, Principal Laurie Murrin, The Green Team, and the entire 
Longfellow Elementary community for being at the forefront of improving 
our environment and helping prepare our students to be competitive and 
succeed in an emerging green economy.

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