[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E104]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE PARTICIPATION OF THE HERNDON HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND 
                IN THE 2013 PEARL HARBOR MEMORIAL PARADE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 17, 2014

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Herndon High 
School Marching Band for being selected to participate in the 2013 
Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade and for receiving Grand Champion honors in 
recognition of their outstanding performance.
   Known as ``The Pride of Herndon,'' the Herndon High School Band is 
the oldest established high school band in Fairfax County and has been 
a part of Northern Virginia since 1947. Since its founding, the band 
program at Herndon High School has grown from that original group of 
fifteen musicians to more than 200 instrumentalists comprising the 
following ensembles: Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and 
Jazz Band, all currently under the direction of Ms. Kathleen Jacoby.
   The National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day was established by an Act 
of Congress on August 23, 1994 to commemorate the December 7, 1941 
attack on Pearl Harbor. The Pearl Harbor Memorial Day Parade, which 
began in 2011, honors the survivors, veterans, active duty military and 
their families, and most especially the more than 2,400 members of U.S. 
Armed Services who made the ultimate sacrifice.
   Each year, one high school band from each state that bears the same 
name as an American battleship or other vessel that was attacked at 
Pearl Harbor is invited to participate in the Pearl Harbor Memorial 
Parade. This year, The Herndon High School Marching Band was chosen to 
represent Virginia. While in Hawaii, the Pride of Herndon toured the 
USS Arizona Memorial, performed in front of the USS Missouri, met with 
World War II Veterans who survived the Pearl Harbor attack and served 
as Virginia's official ``ambassador'' to the parade. Following the 
parade, a three-judge panel designated the band as Grand Champions for 
the quality and appropriateness of its performance.
   The band's participation in this event would not have been possible 
without support of the Herndon High School Band Parents Association and 
the Herndon High School community, including the Herndon Rotary which 
raised more than $15,000 to help fund the cost of the trip.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
Principal William Bates, Band Director Kathleen Jacoby, and the Herndon 
High School Marching Band on this tremendous achievement and in 
commending them for their roles in honoring and paying tribute to our 
Greatest Generation.

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