[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 172 (Thursday, December 5, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE NAPA VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 5, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Napa Valley Education Foundation as they celebrate their 30th 
anniversary on December 7th, 2013, at their Annual Taste for Knowledge 
and Gala Fundraising Event. The Napa Valley Education Foundation (NVEF) 
deserves recognition for their tireless efforts over the past thirty 
years to improve the quality of education for all children within the 
Napa Valley Unified School District (NVUSD).
  Since its creation in 1983, the NVEF has demonstrated an admirable 
commitment to achieving its self-proclaimed vision to create ``great 
public schools that inspire all children to achieve their potential and 
become vital members of our community.'' In pursuit of realizing this 
vision, the NVEF has made significant improvements in the quality of 
education possible for all students in the NVUSD.
  Such improvements include the Teacher Grants Program, now known as 
the Spencer and Colton Grants, which was founded by the NVEF in 1983 
and has raised a total of more than $1.5 million to fund the 
implementation of improved teaching strategies. Additionally, the NVEF 
has created The Music Connection, which brings music education and 
exposure to over 3,000 students, as well as the Campaign to Sustain 
Music, which has raised $85,000 annually over the past three years to 
sustain the NVUSD's music education programs. The NVEF has also created 
Tech Connection, a program to assist families in purchasing laptops for 
their children. Finally, the NVEF coordinates the Teacher of the Year 
Awards, which recognize and honor exceptional teachers within the NVUSD 
each year.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor and thank 
the Napa Valley Education Foundation for their thirty years of 
unwavering commitment to improving the quality of education for every 
student within the Napa Valley Unified School District.

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