[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 128 (Friday, July 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF JOHN KELMENDI FOR HIS WORK WITH THE METRO DETROIT 
                               COMMUNITY

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2017

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. John 
Kelmendi for his career as an educator and involvement in the southeast 
Michigan community. Mr. Kelmendi has been a dedicated advocate for 
students during his career with the Detroit Public Schools and 
involvement with local community groups.
  Mr. Kelmendi, a native of Albania, began his career with Detroit 
Public Schools in 1993 and established a reputation as a dedicated 
teacher invested in the success of his students. Mr. Kelmendi initially 
taught social studies to students at Pershing High School and became 
curriculum leader of the school's social studies department in 2003. In 
this role, Mr. Kelmendi helped coordinate the staff and manage the 
instructional material in the social studies department. He also served 
as an instructional specialist, where he helped observe and evaluate 
other educators in addition to teaching students. Mr. Kelmendi's work 
with the students at Pershing resulted in significant improvements in 
academic achievement, including a strong upward trend in social studies 
test scores relative to other DPS students.
  Mr. Kelmendi's time as an educator and community activist was 
critical to improving student achievement and establishing a culture of 
excellence within the social studies department at Pershing High 
School. As a result of his actions, Mr. Kelmendi received a lifetime 
achievement award from Detroit Public Schools and was well-known for 
his passion for teaching. Additionally, he was active in the Metro 
Detroit Community, having served as a member of Detroit's School-
Community Relations Committee, which helped establish and improve 
collaboration between the DPS academic community and residents of 
Detroit. Mr. Kelmendi went above and beyond what was expected in the 
classroom and the community, and his efforts are worthy of 
commendation.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. John 
Kelmendi for his work as an educator and in the Metro Detroit 
community. Mr. Kelmendi's actions have impacted countless lives.

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