May 22, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E961 TRIBUTE TO MIDWOOD HIGH In the Academy of Science 1997 kins, an outstanding attorney and active mem- SCHOOL AT COLLEGE Science and Technology Expo, eight Midwood ber of his community. students received awards. f HON. MAJOR R. OWENS Ten students received awards in a science 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF EMMAN- OF NEW YORK competition sponsored by the Rockefeller UEL BAPTIST CHURCH, TOLEDO, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Foundation. OH Friday, May 22, 1998 University students at Midwood High School are enriched in various ways by the academic Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to and physical resources of : HON. MARCY KAPTUR pay tribute to the students, parents, and fac- They are encouraged to enroll in courses at OF OHIO ulty of Midwood High School at Brooklyn Col- the college campus, if qualified. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lege. On May 22, 1998, the United States De- They have the opportunity to use the col- Friday, May 22, 1998 partment of Education selected the school as lege library. one of 166 winners of the Blue Ribbon Award. They participate in appropriate college cul- Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to These outstanding individuals have not been tural and career programs. acknowledge the many contributions that Em- celebrated as sports heroes and entertainment They conduct research under the tutelage of manuel Baptist Church has made to my dis- celebrities; but a tradition of academic excel- college professors. trict during the past 100 years of existence. lence has been established at Midwood High They take Midwood High School laboratory Founded as the Oakwood Baptist Church in School. These students, parents and edu- classes on the college campus. 1898 and merged with Heston Street Baptist cators have tirelessly dedicated themselves to They hear distinguished scholars from the Church in 1911, the congregation moved to its achieving academic excellence that is nec- college who visit Midwood as guest lecturers. current location, on Laskey Road, in 1961. essary to prepare our young people for the We must create an atmosphere where our The Church established a school in 1967 and challenges of the next century. students are inspired and given incentives to grew, grade by grade, until a new high school Midwood High School at Brooklyn College, strive for excellence. I salute Midwood High building was built in 1978. This school can a secondary school of 4,000 students in School for their outstanding academic per- now be proud of an enrollment over 400. Brooklyn, New York, is located in a middle formance. Each student, teacher and parent is The Church ministers to community mem- class, urban environment. It is a model school part of a process of creating an environment bers of all ages; from a weekly club, AWANA, of academic excellence within an integrated in America where education is exalted, where for preschool through sixth grade, to a part- instructional setting. The student population academics and intellectual activities are raised time visitation pastor, Rev. Charles Vermilyea, consists of 43% African American students, to a new level. who calls on those hospitalized or with special 10% Latino students, 17% Asian students, and Midwood High School students are provided needs. Other ministries include Ladies Alone 30% students of other nationalities. Students with a great Opportunity-To-Learn and they for widows, Shepherds Ministry for those men- wishing to attend Midwood High School may use it well. We salute Principal Lewis Frohlich tally handicapped, and Campus Bible Fellow- apply to one of three programs: the Medical and all of the teachers and students of ship for students at the University of Toledo. Science Institute, the Humanities Program, Midwood High School. Their charity does not stop there, as 20% of and the Collegiate Program. f the weekly offerings go to missionary endeav- Mr. Speaker, I feel some degree of personal ors. pride in this achievement. For the last five IN HONOR OF WARWICK H. The activities of the Church also extend far years I have been a guest of the annual JENKINS beyond the boundaries of my district. In fact, Midwood Student Congress. At their Congress this Anniversary celebration began with plans students debate issues and take votes. A bill HON. MARTIN FROST to build a new auditorium for a mission church to greatly increase taxes on tobacco won a OF TEXAS in Crato, Brazil. Dozens of parishioners trav- narrow victory this year. This activity is just IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES eled to Brazil to assist in the building of the one more example of the comprehensive ex- auditorium. Friday, May 22, 1998 cellence of the program at Midwood. The Emmanuel Baptist Church has been a During the 1986±87 school year, Midwood Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to meaningful part of our community for over 100 High School was named a School of Excel- honor Mr. Warwick H. Jenkins of Waxahachie, years, and we hope for just as many years to lence by the United States Department of Texas, in celebration of his 50th anniversary come. Let us offer prayer and honor to the Education, In 1994, the school was also se- as a licensed and practicing attorney. members of Emmanuel Baptist Church just as lected by Redbook Magazine as one of Ameri- Mr. Jenkins grew up in Waco, Texas, and they have offered prayer and honor to the ca's fifty outstanding high schools. Of the attended college at Baylor University. When members of our community for a century. 1997 graduating class: America entered World War II, he enlisted in f Ninety-eight percent of the students went to the United States Army, left Baylor, and college. served his country in the European theater. TRIBUTE TO MELVIN JACOBSON Over seventy percent of the students Mr. Jenkins participated in the landing at Nor- earned Regents endorse diplomas. mandy, the Battle of the Bulge, and the cross- The school's SAT mean scores were signifi- HON. BART STUPAK ing of the Rhine. He returned to Baylor after cantly above the national mean. OF MICHIGAN The school was rated as one of the top fifty the war, and attended law school there on the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES G.I. Bill. Mr. Jenkins graduate from law school high schools in America by the Friday, May 22, 1998 Program. in 1948, and moved 64 miles north of Waco Students were awarded $28 million in col- to Waxahachie in order to begin his practice. Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to take a lege scholarships. Mr. Jenkins is the founder and president of moment to reflect on the meaning of vol- For the fourth year in a row, Midwood Jenkins & Jenkins, P.C. unteerism and community service as personi- ranked among the ten top schools in the na- Mr. Jenkins has also found time in his busy fied by an individual in my congressional dis- tion in the Westinghouse Research Competi- work schedule to become an active member trict. tion. of his community. He teaches Sunday school We've all met such people in our personal Sixty-four students were ranked Advanced at the First Baptist Church, served as City At- and professional lives, people who have made Placement scholars by the College Board. torney for Waxahachie, and is a past president the act of giving of themselves almost second Two Midwood seniors were selected as Na- of the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions nature. We soon recognize them in our com- tional Merit finalists. Club. He has also been active on all political munities, even if we may not always know Ten Midwood students received com- levels, having served as Democratic County them personally, because we see them on mended status in the 1997 Achievement Pro- Chair and as a member of the State Demo- one day cooking pancakes at a benefit break- gram. cratic Executive Committee. fast, and perhaps on the next evening we may The National Council of Teachers of English Mr. Jenkins is the father of four children, see them serving as an auxiliary traffic police presented a writing achievement award to a Jim, John, Laura, and Clay, and eight grand- officer at an event like a parade. Midwood seniorÐthe tenth year in a row that children. Gogebic County in the Upper Peninsula of this prestigious award was presented to My fellow colleagues, please join me and Michigan is blessed with such a volunteer and Midwood High School. his family in recognizing Mr. Warwick H. Jen- community servant. Mr. V. Melvin Jacobson E962 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 22, 1998 for half a century has dedicated himself to the MY VOICE IN OUR DEMOCRACY real possibility is something that will direct 4±H program and the youth of the county. It my educational goals and my extracurricular activities. was in fact 1948 when Melvin became presi- HON. JOHN E. SUNUNU As a high school student, there are many dent of the Gogebic County 4±H Council. OF NEW HAMPSHIRE opportunities for me to voice my opinion. I From this leadership position, he would help IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES can debate issues in class, I can attend gov- the local 4±H launch a variety of valuable pro- Friday, May 22, 1998 ernment related activities such as Model grams. Congress and Youth in Government, and I Mr. SUNUNU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to can campaign for political candidates. By First, he played a major role in the estab- pay special tribute to Ashley Allyn, 16, of New showing my support for a candidate, whether lishment of the Gogebic Extension Camp at Durham, New Hampshire. As a national win- it be at the town or national level, I am tell- Little Girl's Point, which opened in 1950. He ner of 1997±98 Veterans of Foreign Wars and ing my neighbors, my community, and my served as a leader in the establishment and Ladies Auxiliary ``Voice of Democracy'' broad- country that I care about what laws are cast script writing contest, Ashley concisely passed and which programs are funded. I can operation of the 4±H Ski Hill on the George petition my school board if I feel a change Mussatti farm in Bessemer. The ski hill captures the importance of America's most needs to be made in my school. I can write opened in 1951 and was open every weekend basic freedoms in her well-written entry. my state senator about a problem that I feel I hereby submit Ashley's work for publica- through the early 1980's. needs to be addressed in my state. There are tion in the Congressional Record and con- countless ways a teenager can tell the rest of Melvin helped promote and organize many gratulate her for her thoughtful piece entitled the world that they notice, observe, and ``Annual 4±H Winter Sports Days,'' and in his ``My Voice in our Democracy.'' Her words strive to change their own little corner. And 18 years on the Gogebic County Fair Board serve as a thoughtful reminder to all Ameri- as my corner grows, so do the changes I can he actively promoted many county fair activi- cans that in a Democracy each voice does make. And as my voice grows, so do the oth- ers behind it. ties, including coordinating the 4±H Parade. matter My voice will continue to be heard, at dif- Maybe most importantly in his 4±H work, [1997–1998 VFW Voice of Democracy ferent levels, as my school years and commu- Melvin has served as a positive and encourag- Scholarship Competition] nity involvements continues. But in a de- mocracy, it is reassuring to know that it will ing friend to the children involved with the Go- MY VOICE IN OUR DEMOCRACY (By Ashley Allyn) never be along. Others may be making dif- gebic County 4±H program. I have it on good ferent points, and even opposing points, but faith from a member of my own staff, a 4±Her ‘‘The doctor will see you now.’’ That’s they will all be heard. And that, of course, is something you might expect to hear if our fundamental strength—that here in from northern Michigan, that ``Melly,'' as he you’ve lost your voice. That is ‘‘voice’’—de- was known, never failed to offer a warm, wel- America we will always have a chorus of fined in the dictionary as ‘‘sound made voices. coming smile, a constant and an eagerly ex- through the mouth, especially by human pected treat for those youth attending 4±H beings, as in talking, singing, etc.’’ f Camp or exhibiting their projects at the Goge- But there is another sort of voice we need to be concerned about. Consulting the dic- TRIBUTE TO MATTHEW KENNEDY bic County Fair. tionary again, we find quite ‘‘the right to ex- Mr. Speaker, we know the face of this giving press one’s wish, choice, opinion, or to make HON. JOHN E. PETERSON it prevail; as in, having a ‘voice’ in our gov- volunteer was bound to show up in other OF PENNSYLVANIA ernment.’’ We have all seen enough news- venues, as is the case with true volunteers, so paper and television accounts of the tragic IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES it should be no surprise to learn Melvin also consequences in counties where the people Friday, May 22, 1998 served as a Gogebic County Commissioner have lost their voice. for 22 years. For the same amount of time he My voice in our democracy started before I Mr. PETERSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the ac- served on the Western U.P. Planning and De- could even actually speak. Ours is a country with civil rights for all—no matter how complishments of Matthew Kennedy who won velopment Regional Commission and with the young. I was protected by laws from the very a scholarship in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agen- beginning of my life. As I grew older, I was of the United States and its Ladies Auxiliary cy. able to function within our democracy on a Voice of Democracy broadcast script writing Melvin was a member of the Gogebic Coun- smaller scale—within my family, my peer contest. Matthew is the son of Glenn and Shir- group, and my school. ty Airport Board for six years, a member of the When I turn 18, my voice will grow louder, ley Kennedy who are serving as missionaries UPCAP Executive Committee for 11 years, because I will be able to vote. But what in Taichung, Taiwan and was sponsored by and he served on the Western U.P. District about now? Under our Constitution, my VFW Post 727. As the Pacific Areas winner, Health Board for 18 years. He was a liaison to rights as a citizen are protected. One of the he is the recipient of a $1,500 Silver Spring the Michigan Townships Association for eight most satisfying things about living in a de- Memorial Post 2562 Scholarship Award. Com- mocracy is knowing that I do have a voice. peting with over 93,000 students, sixteen year years. Melvin was active in dairy farm profes- I have the right to free speech, the right to sional associations, and in other profes- old Matthew won one of the 54 national schol- publish my feelings, the right to write my arships with his speech ``My Voice in Our De- sionally-related efforts he was a part of the Congressmen, and the right to organize a mocracy.'' I would like to insert his speech into Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation group. Even children in elementary school the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. Service for 30 years. have made their voices heard by launching a campaign addressing a concern. Anyone can My voice in our democracy is as powerful Repeated terms on the local Lutheran make their voice heard by the leaders of this as a sweeping tide, as far-reaching as Church board and service as a Little League country—they must have to speak up. I can thought, and as valuable as the wisdom of Counselor round out the valuable contributions do it, too. With supporters behind any cause Solomon. Its power is recognized and pro- tected by our Constitution, its potent influ- made to the area families and the community. I choose, my voice will be heard in Washing- ton. ence is proven by our nation’s history and by It's no wonder that Mr. Jacobson was nomi- Ha, you think. Congressmen don’t listen. current events; its value makes it my duty nated for Governor George Romney Lifetime They’re corrupt, they’re not even real to me. to steward it carefully. Achievement Community Service Award. Think again. Given an unusual chance most Did the Founding Fathers believe the voice people could only dream about, I was able to of a single citizen holds power? Absolutely. Michigan's former governor served as an in- meet our nation’s senators, to work with They established the freedoms of religion, spiration for volunteerism in the state before them face to face, and get to know their per- speech, press, assembly, and petition. They he became a national inspiration for last year's sonal quirks and mannerisms. I realized that wove into our democracy the great principles gathering in Philadelphia. they are just people like you and me. of popular sovereignty, limited government, They’re everyday people—but they’re people representative government, and majority On May 30, 1998, V. Melvin Jacobson will who had the drive, the initiative, and the rule balanced by minority rights. They en- be honored by friends and family at a 4±H Ap- concern for their country to try to fix its shrined the fundamental worth of each indi- preciation Banquet. I ask all my colleagues to problems. After that opportunity, I saw how vidual’s voice and the equality of all voices. join me in celebrating this lifetime of service to important and valuable anyone’s voice is and To the minds of the Founding Fathers, even all the people of the western Upper Peninsula I realized that I wanted my voice to be these freedoms and rights were not enough; heard. they established the Ninth Amendment of Michigan, and to offer thanks on behalf of Oh, I won’t necessarily change the world at which recognized other unenumerated rights all those, children and adults, whose lives this stage of the game, but the knowledge of the people. Is my voice really so powerful were enriched by this service. that, in the very near future, that could be a as to be precious? The Framers of our nation