Green Schools

Floor Speech

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Mr. ASHFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud several Nebraska schools for their nationally recognized roles in protecting the environment.

Two Omaha schools--the Edward ``Babe'' Gomez Heritage Elementary School and the Wilson Focus School--along with the Lincoln School District, have been named 2015 Green Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan.

These schools have been honored for their promising efforts to reduce negative environmental impact, ensure environmental education, promote better health, and cut utility costs.

As Secretary Duncan has noted, these schools are ``an inspiration and deserve the spotlight for embodying strong examples of innovative learning and civic engagement.''

It is clear that the honorees are powerful examples of the ways in which schools can help students cut school costs, provide healthy learning environments, and prepare for the real world ahead.

I also want to take this opportunity to honor my good and late friend, Senator Ron Raikes from Ashland, Nebraska, who with me developed the legislation for the focus schools in Nebraska. He has been and is sorely missed.

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