[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10825]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              IN HONOR OF THE NORTH BETHESDA MIDDLE SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 19, 2002

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate the 
students, faculty, and parents of the North Bethesda Middle School on a 
meaningful and exciting achievement. Over the past 6 years, the North 
Bethesda Middle School community has collected over 10,000 new and used 
books to donate to needy children in Montgomery County and throughout 
the greater Washington area.
  This year alone, the program donated over 2,000 books to 
disadvantaged children in their fight against illiteracy. The school 
community has been recognized for their charitable efforts by the 
Montgomery County Sentinel and by many other local organizations. Today 
I add my voice to all those saying ``thank you'' to the North Bethesda 
Middle School community for all their hard work.
  These students, teachers, and parents understand that excellent 
reading skills and a quality education are the cornerstones of a young 
person's upbringing and development. The students of North Bethesda 
have already had a profound impact on the lives of children they may 
not ever meet. Their pure sense of charity, compassion, and concern 
should inspire all of us.
  As a former teacher, I believe that each one of us can have an impact 
on a young person's future. It is my hope that through the continuation 
of this successful program, and others like it, the lives of 
disadvantaged children around the country will be forever changed for 
the better.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage all members of the education community to 
look towards this wonderful and successful effort as an example of an 
outstanding educational initiative. I encourage all young Americans 
seeking to serve their community to follow these students' lead. Again, 
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate everyone at North Bethesda Middle School, 
especially Principal Joan Carroll, and thank them all for their work on 
this great project.

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