[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 141 (Monday, September 19, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1291-E1292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF EL PASO HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BETO O'ROURKE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 19, 2016

  Mr. O'ROURKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the 
100th Anniversary of El Paso High School (EPHS).
  September 18, 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of El Paso's oldest 
operating high school, El Paso High. During these 100 years, the ``Lady 
on the Hill'' has played an influential role in defining the best of 
our community and country.
  El Paso High has a long and proud history of service. In the early 
1900's El Paso High School's first Texas Cadet Guard became one of the 
first Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) in the United 
States. She has prepared notable officers like William D. Hawkins, an 
El Paso High JROTC alumnus and Medal of Honor recipient of the U.S. 
Marine Corps, after whom the U.S.S. Hawkins was named. In 1925, an 
airfield on the U.S. Army's installation at Fort Bliss was named after 
James Buster Biggs, another EPHS graduate who was killed in a plane 
crash at Beltran, France in 1918.
  El Paso High School also represents the best of our country's 
connection with the rest of the hemisphere. Located just three miles 
from the U.S.-Mexico border, EPHS is 93 percent Hispanic, and has 
implemented a nationally recognized Dual Language Gifted and Talented 
Program. Also known as Mundos Unidos, or Connecting Worlds, the unique 
program was awarded the multi-million dollar Jacob K. Javits Grant from 
the U.S. Department of Education. The program has helped EPHS graduates 
to receive top scholarships at the top universities.
  Innovation and creativity flourish here. F. Murray Abraham, a 1958 
graduate, began his acting career at El Paso High School. His talent 
won him a drama scholarship to the Texas Western College, and later an 
Academy Award for Best Actor in the film Amadeus. Jim Ward and Cedric 
Bixler-Zavala, best known for their collaboration in the groundbreaking 
band At the Drive-In, are both proud Tigers.
  Another accomplished El Paso High graduate, Tom Lea, moved the nation 
through his art, writing, and war-time correspondence. Lea brought the 
Southwestern region to life in his famous murals that can be found in 
public buildings from Washington, D.C. to Dallas, Texas. Mr. Lea also 
worked as an eyewitness correspondent for Life Magazine, where he 
traveled more than 100,000 miles to record the experiences of U.S. and 
Allied officers in World War II. He wrote and illustrated The Brave 
Bulls and The Wonderful Country, which were later adapted into 
Hollywood movies.
  Ruben Salazar, a pioneer journalist during the 1960's Chicano 
movement, was the first Mexican-American to cover the Chicano community 
in mainstream media. His news coverage included police discrimination 
against Mexican-Americans, Chicano protests, and the relations between 
Chicanos and African Americans. On August 29, 1970, Salazar covered the 
Chicano Moratorium anti-war protest in East Los Angeles, the largest 
Mexican-American rally in U.S. history. Sheriff's deputies and officers 
wielded clubs and fired tear gas at protestors in the area, hitting and 
instantly killing Salazar. His unfortunate death and fearless character 
has made him a civil rights leader for our country. Abraham, Lea, and 
Salazar are among the many high-skilled, gifted minds El Paso High has 
produced. Our city's oldest high school has exceptionally prepared some 
of our nation's best visionaries.
  The beauty of El Paso High School lies not only within its students, 
but with its architecture as well. In 1980, El Paso High became an 
official historic landmark in the National Register of Historic Places. 
Its unique Greco-Roman architecture was inspired by the Portico of 
Octavia in Rome, Italy. Henry Trost, the chief architect, designed the 
school and some of the most unique buildings in the Southwest.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to 
honor El Paso High School and the extraordinary work they have

[[Page E1292]]

done these last 100 years with our students and community. Viva la 
High.

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