[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 30, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING MICHAEL MAY, FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AMY BIEHL HIGH SCHOOL

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                      HON. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 30, 2014

  Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 
to honor Michael May, an outstanding leader and educator in 
Albuquerque, New Mexico, for his time as Executive Director for Amy 
Biehl High School (ABHS).
  Founded in 1999, by public school teachers Tony Monfiletto and Tom 
Siegel, ABHS fundamentally changed the idea of what a high school can 
contribute to the students it educates. The founders envisioned a 
school that not only prepared students for college, but held itself 
accountable for a student's success after graduation. It is no 
coincidence that during Mike's tenure, nearly 100 percent of ABHS 
students attended college and 86 percent of those students graduated 
with a Bachelor's degree.
  More than that, Mike has inspired students to strive for academic 
excellence while fulfilling their commitment to the community at large. 
On March 18, 2014, I visited the school to recognize and congratulate 
the students for their achievement of 65,000 hours of community service 
to over 140 non-profit organizations. And on June 17, 2014, after 
working closely with Mike, I introduced and the House of 
Representatives passed the Albuquerque, New Mexico, Federal Land 
Conveyance Act of 2014 (H.R. 3998), which allows ABHS to obtain 
ownership of the Old Federal Court House and Post Office in the heart 
of downtown Albuquerque. We will continue to work to enact this bill 
into law, preserve this historic building, and provide students with a 
first-rate education.
  Mike always put his students first and even talked at length to the 
Economic Forum of Albuquerque about the great work done by his school 
to benefit the business community. When asked about ABHS's numerous 
successes during his time as Executive Director, Mike said:

       I would love to thank the community for the support of the 
     school and what we have accomplished. What we have 
     accomplished would not have been possible without the 
     commitment of so many people who have seen the value in what 
     we are doing.

  This statement reflects Mike's selflessness and demonstrates the 
respect and admiration that Mike has for our community in Albuquerque, 
New Mexico. Mike's vision, passion, dedication, and hands-on approach 
with students are one-of-a-kind. While he will be sorely missed, I have 
no doubt that he will accomplish great things in his new role directing 
the L'Ecole d'Humanite boarding school in Switzerland.

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