[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 12, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING MT. HARMONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS BECOMING NEWLY 
                           PUBLISHED AUTHORS

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                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 12, 2024

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago, the students at Mt. Harmony 
Elementary School, located in my district, accomplished a terrific 
feat: they became published authors. Each grade wrote and illustrated a 
book documenting their recent visit to the National Mall right here in 
the heart of our Nation's capital. I thank their librarian Melaney 
Sanchez, Mt. Harmony PTA Treasurer Jennifer Franco, National Mall 
Education Specialist Ranger Jen Epstein, and everyone else who helped 
make this extraordinary, hands-on learning experience possible. 
Together, they took more than 600 kids to Washington, D.C.
  During these visits, the students learned about American history and 
the principles upon which our democracy rests. From the sculpture of 
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the statue of President Abraham Lincoln, 
the dark stone walls commemorating the Americans who died in Vietnam to 
the quiet fountains that honor the fallen of World War II, they saw 
monuments and memorials that pay tribute to the men and women who have 
sustained our country for the past 246 years. Some of the children even 
had the chance to sing patriotic songs for Veterans at the World War II 
Memorial. Back at school, students worked together to write down their 
impressions and sketch what they saw on the field trip.
  Mr. Speaker, young Americans like the ones at Mt. Harmony give me 
hope for this country's future. It is inspiring to see them take such a 
great interest in America's civic culture and history. We all ought to 
be grateful to the educators, parents, and community leaders who gave 
them that opportunity. One day, these children will be the guardians of 
our great American experiment. They will carry on the same work of the 
historic figures they learned about on their trip--that sacred American 
duty `to form a more perfect Union.' Their authorship of these books 
proves that they have already started to contribute to that crucial 
mission. For that, they have my thanks and the gratitude of the 
Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in applauding the 
students--and authors--at Mt. Harmony.

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