EXCERPTS FROM REMARKS MADE AT
VIRGINIA HEROES PRESS CONFERENCE
9:45 A.M.
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
MOSBY MIDDLE SCHOOL
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
BY
GOVERNOR LAWRENCE DOUGLAS WILDER
It was a very short drive from my Office, across the Martin
Luther King, Jr. Bridge, back here to Church Hill. Getting there,
to the Capitol of the Commonwealth of Virginia, as each of the
students of the great Mosby Middle School know, is much, much more
difficult.
Because of the great challenge that faces so many students
here today, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, and a
role model for every young person, Mr. Arthur Ashe, had initiated
an important and exciting program for 600 of next year's sixth
graders. This program (and I will allow Arthur the opportunity to
explain it in more detail) will be a one-day series of exchanges
between highly visible role models, "heroes" who have graduated
from Virginia high schools and colleges, and at-risk youngsters.
The role models will consist of entertainers, athletes,
politicians, journalists and health, legal, and education
professionals. The young people will be 600 6th graders from the
eight middle schools in the City of Richmond. This one-day event,
to be held in the second week of November, will be followed up with
local role models working with these students throughout the year.
I wholeheartedly endorse this program, which is being
coordinated by a host of community leaders here in Richmond. To
ensure the program gets started, I have authorized a grant of
$23,700 from my office's portion of U.S. Drug-Free Schools and
Communities Act funds. My staff will work closely with this model
program to ensure its success, and I will personally extend
invitations to graduates of Virginia high schools and colleges, to
come here to Richmond to work with young people.
My administration will continue to do its utmost to thwart
the temptations of the drug trade, and show that education and hard
work are the true formulas for success in our great state and
country .
