[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22190]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING MORRILL ELEMENTARY AND RAYBURN ELEMENTARY FOR BEING RECOGNIZED 
                         AS BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2003

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, it is always an honor to recognize our 
public schools and their wonderful accomplishments. Today, I rise to 
honor two schools from the 28th Congressional District of Texas, 
Morrill Elementary and Rayburn Elementary, for being selected as 2002-
2003 National Blue Ribbon Schools. These two schools are among an elite 
number of elementary and secondary schools recognized this year by the 
United States Department of Education for their success in educating 
our next generation of leaders.
  Morrill and Rayburn Elementary Schools, both in San Antonio, join 
only 325 Texas schools that have received Blue Ribbon status since 
1982. I am proud to have them in my Congressional District, as they 
reflect the South San Antonio working family community. They are proof 
that tight knit communities such as ours can foster quality 
institutions. In addition, they realize it is important to involve 
parents in the education process. Through their parent/teacher 
programs, they bring closer the relationship between the home and the 
school so parents may cooperate intelligently in the education of our 
children.
  I would like to recognize Principal Linda Aleman of Morrill 
Elementary and Principal Shannon Allen of Rayburn Elementary for their 
leadership and commitment to making their respective schools exemplary. 
They both recognize that our children are America's most valuable 
resource and, as such, their education is of the utmost importance.
  Most importantly, I would like to recognize the students of these two 
schools who have persevered to obtain success. Many of them have had to 
overcome various obstacles in the course of their educational career. I 
am proud of their efforts and I know they will continue to succeed in 
their future endeavors, including the lifelong pursuit of education.
  Congratulations to the Morrill Elementary and Rayburn Elementary 
communities for achieving the coveted Blue Ribbon Award.

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