[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 97 (Thursday, June 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO ELIZABETH S. O'KEEFE

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                          HON. JAMES M. TALENT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 1996

  Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Elizabeth S. 
O'Keefe of Whitfield School, one of the winners of the 1996 Toyota 
Tapestry program.
  The Toyota Tapestry program, which is administered by the National 
Science Teachers Association, began 5 years ago and has awarded more 
than $1.6 million in grants to teachers in the United States. Each 
year, 40 outstanding K-12 grade teachers are given grants of up to 
$10,000 to implement innovative 1-year programs to enhance science 
education in their schools. The winning teachers have developed 
projects that demonstrate creativity, involve risk-taking, possesses 
visionary qualities, and model a unique way of presenting science.
  Ms. O'Keefe's winning project was to develop a unique study on ground 
water in caves. Because caves are void of photosynthetic organisms and 
litter, the water contains dissolved nutrients as well as herbicides 
and pesticides that percolate through rock and soil layers into cave 
streams. Rivers and springs are tested for pollutants; however, there 
is no systematic evaluation of pollution in cave water. O'Keefe's 
seventh grade classes will collect and evaluate water samples from 10 
cave sites that were tested over 20 years ago, and determine what 
environmental and geological changes have occurred over this period.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor and a privilege for me to pay tribute to 
Elizabeth O'Keefe, and commend her upon her efforts in ensuring the 
next generation a quality foundation from where they can pursue their 
ambitions. I join the National Science Teachers's Association in 
honoring the excellent work that she has been able to accomplish.

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