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[Pages H2376-H2377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
VISITS TO RICHLAND, CAMBRIA HEIGHTS, AND PURCHASE LINE HIGH SCHOOLS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, over the past couple of
weeks I had the honor of visiting three high schools in my district,
the Richland High School, near Johnstown, Cambria Heights High School,
in Patton, and Purchase Line High School in Commodore, Pennsylvania.
As a senior member of the House Education and Labor Committee, I love
speaking with students about their learning experiences, and hearing
from faculty and staff as well.
Last week, the Richland School District invited me to join them for
their Teacher-in-Service event with award-winning educator and
principal, Salome Thomas-El. It was a pleasure to be with educators
from the Cambria County area to hear the ways that we can work together
to improve education in America.
I enjoyed hearing Mr. Thomas-El discuss the change in attitudes and
strategies of school staff, parents, and members of the community to
help the students in most need of guidance. He is currently the head of
the Thomas Edison Charter School in Wilmington, and before that, began
his career as a teacher and chess coach at Vaux Middle School.
Since then, he has published several books, received prestigious
awards, appeared on television, and Disney recently optioned the movie
rights to his best-selling book titled ``I Chose to Stay.'' He has
committed more than 20 years of his life to answering the question of
how to ensure that every child achieves their greatest potential.
The question is one that all educators seek to answer and even
policymakers in Congress; and that is why I will continue to support
legislation and initiatives that meet the needs and grow the potential
of every student.
We must also address family poverty, child nutrition, community
violence, and other barriers that affect student success.
As Mr. Thomas-El says, All children can and will learn as long as
they have adults who care enough. And he is right. In order for our
country's students to truly succeed, they need the support from adults
at home, in the classroom, and throughout their communities.
I left the in-service event with Richland School District encouraged
and
[[Page H2377]]
confident that our educators are providing essential support to their
students.
That feeling stayed with me the next day as I visited Cambria Heights
High School. There, I met with students representing music, athletics,
student council, and vocational programs at the school. Students showed
me the ongoing renovations to the high school building as part of a
major renovation of the classrooms and the cafeteria.
They also shared with me their many accomplishments that included
earning top scores in the county on the State's Keystone Exams for
literature and biology.
Earlier this week I participated in an assembly at the Purchase Line
High School in Indiana County. The students asked great questions about
civic engagement, and we had an open dialogue about the challenges and
the opportunities that are facing our Nation.
Meeting with all these students gives me great hope for the future,
and I know these students will become our next generation of leaders,
regardless of what fields they enter after graduation.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the Richland School District, Cambria Heights
High School, and the Purchase Line High School for inviting me into
their schools and sharing with me the ways they are transforming
education to help students not only graduate, but go on to earn a
higher degree or a certification or, quite frankly, go successfully
into the workforce.
A good education opens so many doors in life. I am tremendously proud
of the students, faculty, and staff of each of these outstanding
institutions.
____________________