[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2394]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE FUGUITT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HONOR GUARD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Jolly) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an exceptional group of 
young men in Pinellas County, Florida, the honor guard at Fuguitt 
Elementary School in Largo.
  Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting with 21 young men of 
Fuguitt's honor guard who have recognized the importance of respect, 
discipline, commitment, and speaking out against bullying. These are 
remarkable young men in third, fourth, and fifth grade.
  The honor guard program at Fuguitt was started by former Principal 
Michael Moss; teacher Rhonda Correa; and her husband, Frank Correa, a 
Marine Corps veteran. The Correas have continued to lead the program 
today under the leadership of Fuguitt's principal, Dr. Kathi Bentley.
  The purpose of the honor guard is to develop structure, discipline, 
and leadership in young students who otherwise might face academic or 
behavioral challenges.
  Each student signs the honor guard pledge, which reads: ``As a 
Fuguitt honor guard member, I am a student leader of this school. As a 
member, I promise to be truthful, respectful, helpful, and hardworking. 
I will act like an honorable gentleman and respect and honor the flag 
of the United States of America. I understand my success is my Nation's 
success.''
  Each day, the honor guard opens the school with the presentation of 
colors and the Pledge of Allegiance.
  Mr. Speaker, the young men committed to this program represent future 
leaders both in Pinellas County and also in our Nation, and they 
deserve the recognition and encouragement of this body.
  I am honored to recognize Fuguitt Elementary School's honor guard 
members today: in third grade--Romeo Greene, Sean Lange, Blake Logan, 
Levita Maafu, Troy Mason, George Mercado, Walit Morton, Daniel 
Mattrass, Micah Timberlake, and Bryce Young; in fourth grade--Domenic 
Barclay, Johnnie Chattman, Ari Davis, Matthew Kosinski, and Tyrek 
Tripp; and in fifth grade--Jon Dameron, Anthony Gonzalez, William 
Maafu, William Muscu, Steven Suero, and Andra Witchard.
  Today, these young men serve as role models to the rest of Fuguitt 
Elementary School and are held to a high standard, both academically 
and behaviorally. I rise today to recognize their efforts and commend 
the leadership at Fuguitt who are committed to the mission to help 
these students grow into future leaders.
  In closing, I would like to share the honor guard's poem that they 
recited to me at the end of my visit with them. It is a fitting tribute 
from 21 young men to the exceptionalism of our Nation.
  ``We are the beacon of light, the hope of mankind, that shining city 
on a hill, the most beautiful, the most bountiful, the most generous 
people in the history of the world, the country that has birthed the 
great titans of science and industry, the country that put a man on the 
Moon, the country that has liberated tens of millions from the clutches 
of evil, the home of the brave, the undisputed champion of freedom, the 
great Republic, the United States of America.''
  I thank the Fuguitt honor guard for serving as an inspiration to so 
many, including to this Member of Congress.
  May God bless each of them and their families, and may God bless 
these United States.

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