[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[EX]
[Page 25297]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING RUSH ELEMENTARY ON THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RANDY NEUGEBAUER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 20, 2003

  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today 
to celebrate Rush Elementary th School in Lubbock, Texas' 50th 
anniversary, which will occur on October 24th. Rush Elementary has 
played an intergral role in developin gand nurturing young students in 
West Texas for half a century. The faculty's contributions to the lives 
of young people have strengthened the foundation of the community and 
continue to be an invaluable resource.
  The school strives to continue the spirit of connnunity service that 
was characteristic of George A. Rush, the school's namesake. Mr. Rush 
was a pioneering citizen who helped lay the foundation on which Lubbock 
was built. Mr. Rush served on the first Lubbock City Council and 
originally owned the 9.5 acres of land where the school is now built. 
By emphasizing community outreach, the facility has fostered in its 
students a spirit of serving others with dedication. We have been 
especially fortunate in my home, that my wife, Dana, attended Rush. 
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's wife Karyn, also benefited from 
attending Rush during her elementary years.
  Rush Elementary School was founded in 1953 and it only consisted of 
four classrooms in two temporary buildings with combined grade levels. 
The existing building opened on December 19, 1957. Mrs. Maggie Hammer 
served as the head teacher of the four teacher staff. In 1959 twelve 
classrooms were added, followed by a new gymnasium and an air-
conditioning system in 1989, as well as technical upgrades to support a 
new computer system. Rush currently enrolls 580 students.
  Today, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Rush Elementary School 
in Lubbock, Texas, I thank them for their service to the area. I am 
proud to join the citizens of Lubbock, and others who have benefited 
from the elementary school, in extending my deepest thanks and 
appreciation for all of their hard work. Our community would not be the 
same without the unparalleled contributions of the school and its 
dedicated faculty and staff.

                          ____________________