[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 6] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 8260-8261] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]RECOGNIZING THE FAIRVIEW SOUTH SCHOOL PENNIES FOR PEACE PROGRAM ______ HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY of illinois in the house of representatives Thursday, May 13, 2010 Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to recognize an extraordinary group of students in Skokie, Illinois. I would like to recognize 6th grade students Lucas Brace, Alexander Brown, Soretti Donka, Lily Griffin, J.D. Kim, Rachel Sison, Kevin Thurman, Patricia Valdepenas, and Tessa Waters, as well as their SPINOUT reading teacher, Ms. Yolanda Toni. These sixth grade students were inspired, after reading Greg Mortensen's book Three Cups of Tea, to collect pennies from their classmates at Fairview South School for the charity Pennies for Peace. Ms. Toni's nine students worked with the school's Student Council and teacher sponsors Ms. Katherine MacLennan and Ms. Christina Sylvester. They made presentations to each grade level about the program and encouraged other students at the school to participate. Over two months, the students raised an impressive $1,524.26 for Pennies for Peace. They wrote letters to me and other elected officials explaining their program and urging us to also work to promote education for all children throughout the world. Pennies for Peace is a fantastic charity, founded by Mortensen, that encourages students to collect their pennies, and, one cent at a time, to support education around the world. A penny might not seem like much money, but the students at Fairview South School demonstrated how quickly they can add up. This money will go to change the lives of students in Pakistan and Afghanistan and bring access to education and opportunity to girls and boys across the world. The Fairview South students recognize that children in many places around the world do not have the same opportunities to attend school and gain an education as do kids in Skokie. Two students in the class wrote to me, and they eloquently argued that education is one of the most powerful tools we have to combat poverty, hopelessness, and violence. One student wrote, ``I know how it feels to want a good education that can get me further in life.'' Another said, ``Can you imagine what it would be like if your children were unable to be educated? The luxury of elementary schools can indeed be taken for granted.'' These students know that helping girls and boys throughout the world, particularly in war-torn or impoverished countries, is one of the investments we can make. Not only did the students at Fairview South raise an impressive number of pennies, but I hope that this program has also turned them into lifetime philanthropists. By participating in Pennies for Peace, students were able to help children in Pakistan and Afghanistan while also learning the invaluable lesson that even a small amount of money can make a big difference. Again, I would like to thank the students and their teacher for their work with Pennies for Peace. [[Page 8261]] ____________________