[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 76 (Thursday, May 10, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 2018 WEST POINT LEADERSHIP ETHICS AND DIVERSITY IN STEM 
                                WORKSHOP

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2018

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the West Point 
Leadership Ethics and Diversity in STEM (LEADS) Program, and to 
congratulate the students who have participated in the 2018 LEADS 
Workshop.
  The LEADS program began in 2011 and was designed to engage students 
in the 6th through 10th grades to help prepare them for the challenging 
academic courses required for acceptance into top tier schools like 
West Point, focusing primarily on underserved and minority school 
populations. While a focus on STEM education has been a top priority in 
many schools, the West Point LEADS program adds another very important 
dimension--the role that ethics plays in effective leadership. In 
addition to robotics and coding workshops, students in the LEADS 
program also participate in activities to explore and begin their 
journeys to become not only educated leaders, but also ethical leaders.
   Students from forty-five schools are participating in the 2018 LEADS 
program. I congratulate each of these students and am honored to 
recognize the following schools who have provided them with this 
opportunity:
   BASIS DC; Bishop O'Connell High School, Colonial Forge High School, 
DC International School, Deer Park Middle Magnet School, Dwight D. 
Eisenhower Middle School, Episcopal High School, Fairview Elementary 
School, Forest Park High School, Fort Foote Elementary School, 
Friendship Collegiate Academy, Frost Middle School, Georgetown 
Visitation Prep School, Great Explorations School, Hayfield Secondary 
School, HH Poole Middle School, Imagine Foundation at Morningside, 
Irving Middle School, Lake Braddock Secondary School, Lake Ridge Middle 
School, Langley High School, Lauren Hill Elementary School, Mark Twain 
Middle School, Mount Vernon High School, North Stafford High School, 
Oakcrest School, Oxon Hill High School, Patriot High School, Paul VI 
High School, Phillipsburg Middle School, Pinnacle Academy, Potomac 
Middle School, Rippon Middle School, Rodney Thompson Middle School, 
Samuel Ogle Middle School, Sidwell Friends School, South County High 
School, South County Middle School, St. Stephen & St. Agnes School, 
Suitland High School, Temple Baptist School, West Springfield High 
School, Westlake High School, and Williamsburg Middle School.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the 
schools and students who are participating in the 2018 West Point LEADS 
Program. I thank the West Point Society of DC, the MITRE Corporation, 
and the Rotary Club of Springfield, for their support of this vital 
program. I also would like to recognize Ms. Pat Walker Locke, who in 
1980 became the first African American woman to graduate from West 
Point, for her critical role in creating and promoting the LEADS 
program, as well as for her decades of commitment to the growth and 
development of our future leaders. She has received numerous national 
awards and accolades in recognition of her efforts. Her support of all 
students, but primarily those in underrepresented communities, has 
improved the lives of countless children and is truly worthy of our 
highest praise.

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