[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28443]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 10, 2003

  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the work of school 
psychologists in Suffolk County, New York during the week of November 
10, 2003.
  The children of Suffolk County have a natural desire and propensity 
to learn and the inalienable right to an education. It is imperative 
that our society supports the needs of children and youth and invest in 
education as our top priority.
  Children's mental health is closely linked to their successful 
learning and development. Schools must apply sound psychological 
principles to instruction, learning and oversight, cultivate children's 
intellectual, social and emotional development, meet the educational 
and developmental needs of culturally diverse student populations and 
promote prevention and early intervention to ensure students' 
achievement.
  Suffolk County schools must ensure a safe, healthy learning 
environment for all children and be able to recognize and respond to 
their emotional and psychological difficulties.
  Suffolk County school psychologists and other trained school-based 
professionals have the opportunity and ability to help parents identify 
and access needed community resources to help their children.
  Suffolk County school psychologists are leaders in delivering mental 
health services to children. It is appropriate that Americans recognize 
the important and vital role that school psychologists play in the 
personal and academic development of our Nation's children.

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