[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 88 (Monday, May 22, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E690-E691]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF MR. KEITH BALLARD AND SOUTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSIC 
                               DEPARTMENT

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. JUAN VARGAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 22, 2017

  Mr. VARGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Keith Ballard and 
Southwest Middle School's Music Department for their exceptional work 
and dedication in promoting the arts.
  Southwest Middle School is located a few minutes from the 
international border and serves a large Latino population. The school 
has one of the highest poverty rates in San Diego County. According to 
Sweetwater Union High School District officials, Southwest Middle 
School previously had a struggling music program requiring immediate 
attention and assistance.
  In 2010, Mr. Ballard was involuntarily transferred to Southwest 
Middle School. He was told that he had been assigned to improve a 
failing music program in need of immediate help. Unfortunately, the 
conditions of both the school and the program did not make this an easy 
task. Mr. Ballard worked tirelessly with administrators, parents and 
the community to

[[Page E691]]

secure funding to rebuild the music program. He found resistance and 
opposition, as the project required time and resources that few were 
inclined to provide. In response, he used the media as a tool to shed 
light on the issue, which resulted in him securing the necessary 
support and resources for the project.
  Today, Southwest Middle School has a thriving music program which 
offers multiple courses from different genres such as three mariachi 
music classes, one steel drum band class and one marching percussion/
African drum ensemble class. The program is designed to connect 
students with their heritage through education, practice, and the 
promotion of arts and music. The school will be adding a band class for 
the 2017-18 school year. Presently, Southwest Middle School has one of 
the most multicultural and diversified music programs in the entire 
nation.
  Southwest Middle School proves their commitment to the continuous 
social and emotional growth of their students by enabling youth to 
develop their talents.

                          ____________________