[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 20438]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



       COUSINO HIGH SCHOOL NAMED BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL FOR 1999-2000

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, in 1982, the United States 
Department of Education initiated its Blue Ribbon Schools Program. In 
each year since, the Department has recognized schools throughout the 
country which excel in all areas of academic leadership, teaching and 
teacher development, and school curriculum. In other words, Blue Ribbon 
Schools are the finest public and private secondary schools our Nation 
has to offer. They are the schools that set the standard for which 
others strive. I am very proud to report that nine of the 198 Blue 
Ribbon Schools named by Secretary Richard W. Riley for 1999-2000 are 
located in the State of Michigan, and I rise today to recognize Cousino 
High School in Warren, Michigan, one of these nine schools.
  Cousino High School is a contemporary American high school set 
amongst the ``Big Three'' members of the auto industry--General Motors, 
Ford Motor Company and DaimlerChrysler. Much of the instructional 
program at Cousino relies upon the same forces that drive these 
international automotive giants, a fact which can be attributed to the 
large participation of the Warren community in the affairs of Cousino 
High School. Teachers, administrators, and parents, along with nearly 
300 leaders from local business and industry, are directly involved in 
shaping the educational program. This involvement has been instrumental 
in creating the high student achievement level that has become a 
trademark of Cousino High School.
  A large part of this program is devoted to ensuring that students who 
graduate Cousino High School leave tecnologically competent. All 
Cousino classes use technology as a tool to facilitate learning. 
Multiple computer labs spread throughout the building and additional 
computers in the media center and classrooms allow students to easily 
access the Internet. In addition, Cousino's proximity to the General 
Motors Technical Center, the world's largest auto research institute, 
and the satellite automotive and technical businesses nearby, have 
provided students with an opportunity to see first-hand the many doors 
that their education will open for them. This focus on technology has 
complemented the core subjects of literature, humanitites, philosophy 
and the arts to provide students with a well-balanced educational 
foundation.
  Of course, no school could be successful without students and parents 
who are willing to devote time and energy to see that their school is 
indeed successful. This dedication has occurred time and again at 
Cousino High School. Parents have consistently served on the 
Principal's Advisory Committee and School Improvement Plan committees, 
have volunteered in Booster Clubs and for other school activities, and 
helped to promote school spirit by promoting school events. This 
parental enthusiasm has rubbed off onto students of Cousino High. Over 
80 percent of students participate in extracurricular activities, and 
students have led the way in aiding the community as a whole, working 
tirelessly for numerous charities.
  I applaud the students, parents, faculty and administration of 
Cousino High School, for I believe this is an award which speaks more 
to the effort of a united community than it does to the work of a few 
individuals. With that having been said, I would like to recognize Mr. 
Joseph Sayers, Principal of Cousino High School, whose dedication to 
making his school one of the finest in our Nation has been instrumental 
in creating this community. On behalf of the entire United States 
Senate, I congratulate Cousino High School on being named a Blue Ribbon 
School for 1999-2000, and wish the school continued success in the 
future.

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