[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 13] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 18880-18881] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING SUMMER KENNEDY ______ HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY of rhode island in the house of representatives Thursday, December 2, 2010 Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Summer Kennedy, my cousin, for her stewardship in the opening of the Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools Complex in Los Angeles, California on September 13, 2010. Named after U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Summer's father and my uncle, the schools are devoted to social justice. Summer's work on behalf of the young people of Los Angeles is simply remarkable. On September 13, the six pilot schools that make up the Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools Complex began instructing students in grades kindergarten through 12th on its campus located in the Pico-Union/Korea Town neighborhood of Los Angeles. The schools are located on the site of the former Ambassador Hotel and because of the historic nature of the site, there were legal challenges to converting the site to a school. Community members and organizations, including RFK-12, came together to advocate for a local school. In 2005, the Los Angeles Unified School District School Board and Superintendent Roy Romer appointed the Robert F. Kennedy Commission to provide recommendations on how to memorialize Senator Kennedy's life. The commission was chaired by former California Supreme Court Justice Cruz Reynoso, and included a number of civic leaders. The Commission's major recommendation called for a social justice theme to permeate the curriculum, extending from kindergarten through high school that would reflect Senator Kennedy's commitment throughout his public life. The schools activities include: the creation of a foundation guided by an Advisory Committee that will help to fund social-justice related activities and act as a resource for the [[Page 18881]] schools on establishing relationships with community service groups outside the school locally and in the larger world, a speakers program, a fellows program that will bring emerging and established leaders to the school, and the creation of a public park recalling the inspirational speeches by the Senator and others. The pilot schools are innovative small schools that have charter-like autonomy over their budget, curriculum and assessment, governance, schedule and staffing, but are part of the public school system. Summer has been instrumental in the improvement of public education in Los Angeles. I wish her all the best as she continues her important work on behalf of young people. She will continue to carry my own admiration, and that of all who have had the privilege to work with her. ____________________