[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 168 (Monday, November 16, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING NDI NEW MEXICO FOR ITS WORK EDUCATING NEW MEXICO'S CHILDREN

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                           HON. BEN RAY LUJAN

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 16, 2015

  Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize NDI New Mexico as a leader in excellent educational 
programming in the performing arts for New Mexico's children.
   NDI New Mexico was founded in 1994 in Santa Fe. Over the last twenty 
years, NDI New Mexico has grown from serving 100 children in one school 
to reaching almost 10,000 children through in-school, after-school, 
summer, and advanced training classes in communities across the state. 
NDI New Mexico's mission is to provide inspirational programming in the 
arts that have a unique power to engage and motivate children. These 
programs have lasting effects on developing positive self-esteem and 
motivating students to learn inside and outside of the classroom. A 
recent long-term analysis of NDI's programming shows that students have 
on average a 1.0 higher GPA and higher standardized test score results 
than their non-participating peers. These results show the incredible 
impact that NDI has on its students' educational successes.
   After-school and outreach programs are an important part of kids' 
educational opportunities. NDI's program gives students lessons in 
artistic expression, self-esteem, a strong work ethic, and a commitment 
to health and fitness. With over 90 programs in 34 communities across 
New Mexico, NDI works to improve educational outcomes and bridge 
opportunity gaps for New Mexico's students through the performing arts.
   The strengths and impacts of NDI on New Mexico's children has been 
recognized throughout our communities, as it has been awarded 
Albuquerque Business First's Non Profit of the Year award in the Arts, 
Culture and Humanities category and Russell Baker, its Executive 
Director, was named Top CEO in the Non-Profit category. These awards 
celebrate NDI's outstanding, distinctive programs that aim to help 
children develop discipline, a standard of excellence, and a belief in 
themselves that will carry over into all aspects of their lives.
   Once again, I congratulate NDI New Mexico for its quality 
educational programming, and thank the entire team for its exceptional 
work for New Mexico's children.

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