Weekly Newsletters
Apr 05 2012
The Hill Report: Week of February 20 – 24, 2012
This week, I am delighted to highlight an outstanding school in the 32nd Congressional District, Thomas C. Marsh Middle School. Marsh has recently been featured in the series “Ideas in Action” with Jack Glassman for its exceptional JROTC program and the impact it has had on keeping students in school and improving their educational success. Marsh Middle School is shown as a model for ways to combat America’s school dropout crisis.
I have had the pleasure of visiting Marsh Middle School and meeting with its JROTC instructor, Coach David Bates, to see firsthand the positive impact that the JROTC program has on the students and the school. Programs like Coach Bates’ JROTC program can significantly help in keeping young North Texans – the future of our great state and nation – in school, and I applaud him on his efforts to build this program at Marsh.
Congressman Pete Sessions with his son Alex Sessions; Patrick Dossett, Dallas Native, Former SEAL;
and Coleman Ruiz, Executive Director, Carry the Load
I have had the pleasure of visiting Marsh Middle School and meeting with its JROTC instructor, Coach David Bates, to see firsthand the positive impact that the JROTC program has on the students and the school. Programs like Coach Bates’ JROTC program can significantly help in keeping young North Texans – the future of our great state and nation – in school, and I applaud him on his efforts to build this program at Marsh.
Coach Bates instituted the JROTC program at Marsh Middle School in 1999 with the goal of increasing students’ performance in school, give them expanded responsibilities and to improve the high school graduation rate. Over the past 13 years, the program has grown from 78 to 317 students and 1/3 of the student body currently participates. It has also has won numerous tournaments and 97% of the students who complete the program graduate and attend college.
In addition to the great efforts by Coach Bates, the students have taken ownership of their roles in the JROTC program and have begun to institute ideas of their own at the school. For example, they are currently working on starting a Veterans Museum on campus to display uniforms, medals and other memorabilia from area Veterans. They want to use the museum as an educational tool, and they plan to invite elementary school students to visit the museum and also show them what the JROTC program is all about. I am proud to see this student-inspired initiative that will help to encourage students to stay in school and get a glimpse into the life of middle school. To learn more about Thomas C. Marsh Middle School and their JROTC program, visit http://www.dallasisd.org/marsh.
Act of Valor Screening in Dallas
On Wednesday, I enjoyed the opportunity to join my son Alex, constituents, community leaders and former Navy SEALs in viewing the new movie Act of Valor which stars a group of active-duty Navy SEALs. This powerful film gives us a deeper insight into the lives of Navy SEALs and our nation’s military, highlighting their extraordinary patriotism and courage. I was particularly honored to view the film with several Dallas natives who have sacrificed themselves for American security and prosperity.
In addition to the great efforts by Coach Bates, the students have taken ownership of their roles in the JROTC program and have begun to institute ideas of their own at the school. For example, they are currently working on starting a Veterans Museum on campus to display uniforms, medals and other memorabilia from area Veterans. They want to use the museum as an educational tool, and they plan to invite elementary school students to visit the museum and also show them what the JROTC program is all about. I am proud to see this student-inspired initiative that will help to encourage students to stay in school and get a glimpse into the life of middle school. To learn more about Thomas C. Marsh Middle School and their JROTC program, visit http://www.dallasisd.org/marsh.
Act of Valor Screening in Dallas
On Wednesday, I enjoyed the opportunity to join my son Alex, constituents, community leaders and former Navy SEALs in viewing the new movie Act of Valor which stars a group of active-duty Navy SEALs. This powerful film gives us a deeper insight into the lives of Navy SEALs and our nation’s military, highlighting their extraordinary patriotism and courage. I was particularly honored to view the film with several Dallas natives who have sacrificed themselves for American security and prosperity.
Congressman Pete Sessions with his son Alex Sessions; Patrick Dossett, Dallas Native, Former SEAL;
and Coleman Ruiz, Executive Director, Carry the Load
The movie screening was hosted by Carry the Load which was founded in Dallas by Clint Bruce, a US Naval Academy graduate, veteran and former SEAL. Carry the Load holds a 20-hour Memorial Day event in Reverchon Park in Dallas to honor and thank members of the military, law enforcement, firefighers and their families for their sacrifices. To learn more, visit http://carrytheload.org/dallas/.
Summer Internship Opportunities
Each summer I offer internships in my Washington, DC office for college students, called the Congressional Collegiate Internship Program (CCIP), and host the Pete Sessions Leadership and Growth Program (PSLGP) for high school students. As you plan for this upcoming summer, I wanted to make sure you are aware of upcoming deadlines for these programs – PSLGP’s enrollment deadline is March 1st and CCIP’s enrollment deadline is March 5th.
Summer Internship Opportunities
Each summer I offer internships in my Washington, DC office for college students, called the Congressional Collegiate Internship Program (CCIP), and host the Pete Sessions Leadership and Growth Program (PSLGP) for high school students. As you plan for this upcoming summer, I wanted to make sure you are aware of upcoming deadlines for these programs – PSLGP’s enrollment deadline is March 1st and CCIP’s enrollment deadline is March 5th.
I value the opportunity to welcome students from North Texas each year and to discover the perspectives and aspirations of young citizens in my district. Students who are interested in participating in the Washington, DC programs may call 202.225.2231 or contact Erin Mellinger at Erin.Mellinger@mail.house.gov for PSLGP and Leigh Young at Leigh.Young@mail.house.gov for CCIP. To learn more about interning in my Dallas office, contact Sandy Pappas at 972.392.0505 or Sandy.Pappas@mail.house.gov.