[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 35 (Thursday, March 3, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 2016

  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Morgan Park 
High School in Chicago, Illinois as it celebrates its 100th 
Anniversary.
   The centennial celebration is a highly anticipated milestone for 
most organizations. However, only a select group gets the honor of 
actually celebrating one hundred years of existence and Morgan Park 
High School is now among them. Since its inception in 1916 when it 
opened its doors to less than 300 students, Morgan Park has been a 
champion for educational exceptionalism. Morgan Park is set apart 
during this momentous occasion as a bearer of academic excellence, a 
laboratory for stellar educators, and the training ground for talented 
and intellectually-stimulated students.
   Mr. Speaker, the Mustang family is also a clan of notable alumni. 
Among them is physician, NASA Astronaut, and the first African-American 
woman in space Mae Jemison; Singer, songwriter, and record producer 
Jeremih; Actor Michael Colyar; Chicago Teachers Union and American 
Federation of Teachers leader Jacqueline B. Vaughn; Inventor James C. 
Bliss; and NFL Player Corbin Bryant--to name a few. Mr. Speaker, I 
would be remiss if, amongst this list of notable alumni, I did not 
mention my dedicated and diligent Chief of Staff, Reverend Stanley 
Watkins.
   The list of prestigious accomplishments that have emerged from the 
Mustang family is a testament of why Morgan Park High School is still 
standing 100 years strong. Mr. Speaker, 100 is a special number because 
it marks two significant transitions: the conclusion of one century and 
the beginning of a new one. While this is a time to celebrate the many 
victories and cherished moments of the passing century, it is also the 
moment in which we pause to reflect upon it critically to identify our 
shortcomings so that we can learn from them and better shape our 
future.
   So, Mr. Speaker, this year we celebrate both our beginning and our 
becoming. We celebrate the struggles of the past 100 years and we 
embrace the challenge of the next 100 years. We commend the triumphant 
strides of the many leaders that have been birthed from this rich 
Mustang blood. We unleash the unbridled Mustang spirit upon those who 
are being groomed now and those who are still to come.
   Mr. Speaker, therefore, we recognize this great achievement and 
commend Morgan Park High School for bestowing upon so many the 
opportunity of a lifetime; to pass through its halls, to sit in its 
classrooms, and to play on its courts.
   Go Mustangs and congratulations on reaching your centennial.

                          ____________________