November 18, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6085 for schools in every State to gain rec- East Elementary School inspires its With a combination of excellent ognition for educational accomplish- students by fostering a positive envi- pitching, great defense and clutch hit- ments in closing the achievement gaps ronment both at school and in the com- ting, the Giants are bringing the World among student groups. munity. Staff and students are com- Series trophy back to China Basin for Recognition as a National Blue Rib- mitted to working toward combining the third time in five seasons. They bon School by the U.S. Department of knowledge with social and emotional have evolved from the 2010 champion- Education is based on a school either support and by doing so lift up a stu- ship team that was fondly described as being measured as an ‘‘Exemplary High dent body that comes from a predomi- ‘‘a band of misfits’’ to a team that has Performing School’’—where schools are nately economically challenging back- etched themselves into baseball his- among the State’s highest scorers in ground. East Elementary School has tory. With this eighth English and mathematics—or as an consistently achieved both an A-rating title—their third in five seasons—the ‘‘Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing and a Four Star designation from the Giants have taken their School’’—where schools, with at least Indiana Department of Education. The rightful place among the nation’s 40 percent of their student body coming hard work and creativity of this school greatest franchises and chief executive from disadvantaged backgrounds, have has helped to strengthen the Portland officer Larry Baer and the entire Gi- reduced the achievement gap in community and the future of Indiana. ants organization should be very proud. English and mathematics within the I would like to recognize principal I also want to congratulate the loyal last 5 years. Signature School has set Andy Schemenaur, the entire staff, and fans, who have the bar high in the area of improved the student body. It undoubtedly took supported their team through good proficiency in both English and Mathe- hard work and dedication to achieve years and bad, and from the windy Can- matics. this prestigious award. dlestick Park to the picturesque AT&T Consistently ranked in the top 100 On behalf of the citizens of Indiana, I Park. Whether it is nearly 42,000 fans high schools in the Nation since 2006, congratulate the East Elementary of turning the stadium into a sea of or- Signature School is a unique and inno- the Jay School Corporation of Port- ange on an ‘‘Orange Friday’’ or wearing vative institution where students are land, and I wish them continued suc- panda hats for or given the opportunity to play a role in cess in the future. bringing funny signs, Gi- setting their academic goals. This ants fans have created an electric at- independence instills in the students a f mosphere at AT&T Park and provided sense of motivation and self-belief, two ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS its team with one of the most formi- components that have helped narrow dable home park advantages in all of the achievement gap and increased baseball. English and mathematics scores. CONGRATULATING THE SAN As the San Francisco Giants and I would like to acknowledge principal FRANCISCO GIANTS their fans celebrate the 2014 champion- Jean S. Hitchcock of Signature School, ∑ Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask my ship campaign, I congratulate them on the entire staff, and the student body. colleagues to join me in congratulating their unforgettable season and look It undoubtedly took hard work and the champions, the forward to their continued success in dedication to achieve this prestigious San Francisco Giants. By defeating the 2015 and beyond.∑ award. in a fiercely con- f On behalf of the citizens of Indiana, I tested and exhilarating World Series, TRIBUTE TO ALAN DERSHOWITZ congratulate Signature School, and I the Giants became the second team in ∑ wish them continued success in the fu- the storied history of the National Mr. CRUZ. Mr. President, I would ture. League to win three World Series in a like to take a moment to honor a great f five-season span. teacher today. His name is Alan Dershowitz. For Led by and RECOGNIZING EAST ELEMENTARY half a century he was a professor at the general manager , this SCHOOL Harvard Law School. He retired in De- outstanding roster of all-stars, Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, cember of 2013. today, I applaud East Elementary of unflappable veterans, and exciting From all those students who were so the Jay School Corporation, Portland, young talent showed great resolve, de- fortunate to learn from him, including IN, for being recognized as a 2014 Na- termination, and character as they myself, let us say thank you. tional Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. battled a tough West- Professor Dershowitz joined Harvard Department of Education. ern Division to emerge with 88 wins Law in 1964—at the tender age of 25— Established in 1982, the National Blue and a spot in the playoffs. and during his time there, he trained Ribbon Schools Program has recog- The Giants began their title march more than 10,000 students in more than nized over 7,000 public and nonpublic by shutting out the 100 semesters to be critical thinkers, schools that demonstrate a vision of 8-to-0 in the one-game National League lawyers, judges, and leaders. educational excellence for all students, Wildcard game. In the National League Aside from being an incredible teach- regardless of their social or economic Division Series, the Giants showed er, he is known as many things: advo- background. Since its inception, this their championship pedigree by win- cate, columnist, novelist, and intellec- program has offered the opportunity ning several tightly contested games tual. for schools in every State to gain rec- against the that He is a passionate liberal, and yet he ognition for educational accomplish- included a thrilling 18-inning mara- pressed all his students—conservative ments in closing any achievement gaps thon, the longest in postseason history. and liberal alike—to make the very among student groups. In the National League Championship best arguments they could, based on Recognition as a National Blue Rib- Series, the Giants captured the pen- logic, reason, and precedent. bon School by the U.S. Department of nant by defeating the St. Louis Car- Like Professor Kingsbury in ‘‘The Education is based on a school being dinals, four games to one. Paper Chase,’’ he didn’t suffer fools. If identified as ‘‘Exemplary High Per- Driven by the historic performance of you couldn’t back up your position in forming’’—schools that are ranked in pitcher , World Se- his class, if you emoted rather than the top 15 percent nationally in ries MVP, and with contributions from reasoned, you were in trouble. English and mathematics, measured by every player on the roster, the Giants He and I became friends, ironically, each State’s assessment—or as ‘‘Exem- triumphed over the Kansas City Royals because we disagreed so much. In class, plary Achievement Gap Closing’’— in a hard-fought, seven-game series. he would offer withering critiques of where schools with at least 40 percent This team battled to win a game seven opinions authored by conservative Jus- of their student body coming from dis- that came down to the last pitch of the tices, Scalia and Thomas especially, advantaged backgrounds are reducing ninth inning when third baseman Pablo and I was often moved to disagree. the achievement gap in English and Sandoval caught the final out—making Heated arguments followed, which Pro- mathematics. East Elementary School the Giants the first team in 35 years to fessor Dershowitz always seemed to has made great strides in these areas. win game seven on the road. relish.

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