[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24512]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


         HONORING THE STUDENTS AND STAFF OF DEVINE HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 7, 2009

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, I commend the students and staff for 
their hard work and dedication in the pursuit of academic excellence. 
Through their efforts, they have garnered the prestigious honor of 
being named a National Blue Ribbon School by Secretary of Education 
Arne Duncan, the highest distinction a school in the United States can 
achieve.
  The Blue Ribbon Schools Program was established in 1982 by Secretary 
of Education Terrell Bell. The program honors public and private 
elementary, middle, and high schools that demonstrate academic 
superiority or dramatic gains in student achievement. Only 3.9 percent 
of all schools in the United States have received this award.
  As their Member of Congress, I am proud of their ambition and 
inspired by their success. I have always believed that our future 
prosperity is predicated on our present commitment to education. They 
are lighting the way as a beacon for those not only in our district, 
but also in our nation. I applaud them for their efforts and encourage 
them to keep up the excellent work.

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