Not linked on Ron Paul’s Congressional Website.
HON. RON PAUL
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
2009 Ron Paul 99:1
Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, Monday, November
23, in Port Lavaca, Texas, IBC Bank
and HJM Elementary School will co-host the
Shark Town Micro Community Grand Opening.
Shark Town Micro Community is an innovative
education program that gives HJM Elementary
students the opportunity to learn “real
world” business and financial skills. I am
pleased to extend my best wishes to the people
of IBC Bank, HJM Elementary, and all the
businesses, educators, and, especially, students
participating in this program.
2009 Ron Paul 99:2
The Shark Town Micro Community is a
small community within the school run by the
students. The HJM Elementary student council
serves as the Shark Town council, and the
student council president serves as the mayor
of Shark Town. HJM Elementary students
named the community after their school’s
mascot, a shark.
2009 Ron Paul 99:3
Students may choose to work at any of a
variety of business, including an IBC Bank,
Wal-Mart, and HEB grocery store. Students
can also work at Shark Town’s branch of the
IRS, student workers have to pay taxes, one
of Shark Town’s utility companies, the post office,
the local newspaper, the safety patrol, or
the recycling center. Students may also train
to be future teachers.
2009 Ron Paul 99:4
Local Port Lavaca businesses sponsor their
Shark Town counterparts. The businesses
provide their Shark Town counterparts with
signs, badges, and shirts for their employees.
Local businesses also provide funds for the
Shark Town companies. Employees of the
local businesses also periodically visit the
school to offer assistance to their counterpart
businesses.
2009 Ron Paul 99:5
Students receive salaries based on their
jobs and their work performance. In order to
participate in Shark Town, students must submit
job applications and be interviewed. Payment
is in the form of “sand dollars.” Students
may use their sand dollars to pay their taxes
and utility bills as well as to shop at Shark
Town’s stores.
2009 Ron Paul 99:6
Madam Speaker, the Shark Town Micro
Community program represents an innovative
means of providing students with a unique opportunity
to learn about how businesses operate
as well as develop work and financial
management habits that will serve them well
throughout their lives. It is my pleasure to
again congratulate all those participating in the
Shark Town Micro Community project.
