[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 84 (Thursday, May 26, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                         HONORING THE EDISON 64

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2016

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Edison 64. These 64 former Thomas Edison High School students from 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their 
lives fighting in the Vietnam War--becoming the highest number of 
casualties from the war experienced by any high school in the United 
States.
  Honoring these former students has been an ongoing tradition. In 
1989, through private funds and fundraising, staff and students 
dedicated a bronze memorial plaque for public display in the new 
Edison-Fareira High School. A memorial garden was also built on the 
school premises. Twenty-five years later, on November 8, 2014, a 
Pennsylvania Historical Marker was dedicated on the site of the 
original Thomas A. Edison High School located at 8th Street and Lehigh 
Avenue. This tradition of respect continues on to the present where 
annual candle lighting ceremonies are held to honor the young men whose 
lives were ended too early. The ceremonies are educational in nature, 
the focus of which is sharing Edison's proud legacy with the current 
student body and new staff. Ceremonies are held prior to the Memorial 
Day Holiday. Over a hundred veterans, some survivor families and many 
Edison alumni attend this very special assembly.
  The newest honorarium for the Edison 64 will take place on May 27, 
2016. In commemoration of the sacrifice of these young men and in 
recognition of the loss to the community, Luzerne Street between 
Whitaker Avenue and North 5th Street (in front of the new Edison High 
School located at 151 West Luzerne Street) will be renamed ``Edison 64 
Memorial Street.''
  Mr. Speaker, the unselfish sacrifice, courage and dedication to the 
welfare of our country will never be forgotten and I ask that you and 
my distinguished colleagues join me in honoring the memory of the 
Edison 64.

                          ____________________