[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6813]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EDUCATION TASK FORCE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2012

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the African 
American Education Task Force, co-chaired by Mr. Oscar Wright and Mrs. 
Wandra Boyd, for its record of success in encouraging and acknowledging 
academic achievement by African American youth in California's Oakland 
Unified School District.
  Today, the African American Education Task Force and the Oakland 
Unified School District will celebrate a successful decade of 
recognizing our local African American students' Honor Roll status. The 
African American Education Task Force Academic Achievement Celebration 
takes place at the ACTS Full Gospel Church, pastored by Bishop Bob 
Jackson in Oakland, California.
  During this year's event, 1,026 African American students from the 
8th through 12th grades will be honored for attaining grade point 
averages of 3.00 or above for the 2011-2012 school year. This 
outstanding group of young people has accomplished a great deal, and we 
are pleased to commend them for their academic dedication and success. 
Especially in light of the great budgetary challenges faced by the 
State of California and the city of Oakland, these students have proven 
themselves to be bright, capable and resourceful.
  I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate each and every 
student for earning this distinction. Thank you for understanding and 
promoting the importance of staying in school. By continuing to be the 
best students possible and by making the most of your education, you 
will enjoy a full range of opportunities to achieve your personal 
goals, as well as give back to your communities.
  Your accomplishments represent the strength of your initiative and a 
commitment to excellence. The skills and discipline you have developed 
will be of great use as you continue to follow your dreams toward 
success. I am so very proud of you for taking personal pride in your 
studies. Oakland's future leaders are certainly present at this 
celebration of academic achievement, and I welcome your many civic 
contributions in the years to come.
  On behalf of the residents of California's 9th Congressional 
District, I again salute you for your exemplary academic performance. I 
am confident that you will continue this fine record of scholarship, 
service and success. Keep up the good work, and I wish you the very 
best in all of your future endeavors.

                          ____________________