[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 20, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H2179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING BLUFFDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

  (Mr. OWENS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. OWENS. One of the Merit Caucus' core missions is to spotlight 
exceptional educators, and Utah is blessed with so many. My team 
recently visited Bluffdale Elementary, a dual language immersion school 
where students start learning Portuguese in the first grade and stick 
to it throughout high school.
  Two inspiring classrooms were taught by Ms. Jessica Bell-Aver's first 
grade class and Edson Habelo's sixth grade class. Both teachers spoke 
exclusively in Portuguese, and the students rose to meet the challenge. 
First graders eagerly answered questions about the calendar and weather 
in Portuguese. Sixth graders tackled science concepts like ecosystems 
in fluent Portuguese.
  This is what happens when we set a high bar. Bluffdale's students are 
thriving because dedicated teachers believe in their potential and push 
them to reach them. That is merit in action.

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