[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 160 (Thursday, September 27, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H9095-H9096]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING KIDS' ORCHESTRA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Louisiana (Mr. Abraham) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the nonprofit 
organization Kids' Orchestra for the positive impact it has had on the 
children throughout East Baton Rouge Parish.
  Kids' Orchestra is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is one of 
the largest after school programs for elementary schools in the entire 
United States. The program began in 2011 with 30 students from a few 
local schools. Now, 800 students from 21 schools participate each year, 
learning a musical instrument, performing in an ensemble, and/or 
singing in the choir.
  Kids' Orchestra uses music as a way to teach students valuable 
lessons, both in and out of the classroom. Ultimately, they are 
successful, as 82 percent of their students say they feel more 
confident, part of the team, and like they are good at something after 
completing the program. Teachers and parents also see improvements in 
peer

[[Page H9096]]

interaction, self-confidence, school attendance, and classroom behavior 
from the participating students.
  These benefits translate academically also, as, on average, Kids' 
Orchestra students receive 15 percent higher grades than students who 
do not participate in the program.
  The organization also aims to create a strong sense of community 
between the children from all different backgrounds, different 
neighborhoods, and different schools. Each class contains 25 students 
of varying ages, schools, and skill levels, all brought together for 
weekly lessons and regular performances.
  By forming a community based on musical training and enrichment, 
Kids' Orchestra is making a positive impact on neighborhood schools and 
individual students.
  I am proud to have had this program in Louisiana, and I look forward 
to seeing the positive impacts from the organization for many, many 
years to come.


                    Celebrating National Rice Month

  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate September as 
National Rice Month.
  Very few places in the world take their rice as seriously as 
Louisiana, where we produced 2.7 billion pounds of rice just last year.
  Rice is also a huge economic driver for the United States, as rice 
milling operations generate about $6 billion in wages and business 
profits, according to the LSU AgCenter.

  U.S. rice not only puts food on our tables, but also on tables across 
the world. We contribute 5 percent of the total rice exports in food 
aid to developing nations. This is the kind of international 
contribution our rice producers can be proud of.
  In turn, I am proud to represent the hardworking rice farmers across 
Louisiana. They produce high-quality rice that feeds the world, gives 
jobs to their neighbors, and helps the community. These facts alone 
make rice worth celebrating all month long.

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