[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 49 (Tuesday, April 28, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 FORT COLLINS HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE BOWL TEAM TO COMPETE IN THE NATIONAL 
                              SCIENCE BOWL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 28, 1998

  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, the winners of the Rocky 
Mountain Regional Science Bowl will soon be in Washington, D.C. to 
compete in the National Science Bowl. Since the regional winners are 
from my congressional district--The Fourth Congressional District of 
Colorado--I am especially proud of the young people who worked so hard 
to come to represent the Rocky Mountain region, the State of Colorado, 
and their school.
  Fort Collins High School truly fielded a Science Bowl team of great 
accomplishment this year, Mr. Speaker. Our community will be well 
represented in the competition.
  As a member of the Education Committee, I am truly encouraged by 
these students. Indeed the success we have been working toward as a 
nation is embodied in the Fort Collins High School team. Despite 
national test results and international comparisons showing U.S. 
students lagging, Colorado's Science Bowl champions are proof that 
American students are capable of high achievement in the field of 
science.
  All hailing from my hometown of Fort Collins, Colorado, the Regional 
Championship Team consists of the following contestants: Miss Kristin 
Bjornsen, Mr. Stephen DiVerdi, Mr. Andrew Fangman, Mr. Jeremiah Way, 
and Mr. Jeremy Zimmerman.
  Of course, these students could not have come so far on their own. 
Behind every successful team is the backdrop of encouragement and 
leadership. In this case, the students are most fortunate to have the 
firm backing and guidance of their families.
  Surely, the parents of the champions are most proud, and have 
sacrificed themselves to help their children achieve great victories. 
They have every right to be proud.
  Mr. Speaker, as you and my colleagues know, I have spent the past 10 
years in public service working to improve Colorado's education system. 
My efforts to deliver more resources directly to classrooms, and treat 
teachers like real professionals have been motivated by my desire to 
see students achieve their potential.
  Within that context, the success of the Fort Collins High School 
Science Bowl team is a triumph for our entire community, and a real 
sign that our hard work is paying off by creating school environments 
where ordinary children can become extraordinary students.
  But Mr. Speaker, this day really belongs to the students. Bjornson, 
DiVerdi, Fangman, Way and Zimmerman are champions all the way. I urge 
my colleagues to help me welcome these students to their Capital City 
and wish them well in their pursuit of the National title.

                          ____________________