[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 149 (Wednesday, October 23, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           RECOGNIZING LAKE FOREST CHARTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

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                        HON. CEDRIC L. RICHMOND

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 23, 2013

  Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lake Forest 
Charter Elementary School, an outstanding school from my district, for 
being selected as a 2013 National Blue Ribbon School.
   Lake Forest Charter is a special school in a special city. After the 
2005 disasters of Hurricane Katrina and the levee failures left the 
school and the area devastated, current CEO Mardele Early, dedicated 
teachers, and devoted families banded together to rebuild and reopen 
the school. That effort illustrates vividly the commitment of the 
faculty and staff and the level of parental involvement that are the 
foundation of Lake Forest's success.
   Lake Forest Charter's Blue Ribbon Schools selection is in the 
``Exemplary High Performing'' category. This award is given to some of 
the highest performing schools across the nation, and I am proud that 
Lake Forest is receiving national recognition for the outstanding 
education it provides to local school children. With more than 80 
percent of its students qualifying for free or reduced lunches, Lake 
Forest Charter has consistently been one of the top schools in 
Louisiana. It is one of only two schools in the state that are National 
Title I Distinguished Schools for Exceptional Performance and 
repeatedly has had every one of its 4th and 8th graders pass the 
required statewide tests.
   Every child in this nation deserves a quality education and it is 
schools like Lake Forest Charter Elementary School that bring us closer 
to making that a reality. I commend the faculty, staff, parents, and 
students for all their hard work and congratulate them on this 
prestigious award.

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