[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 43 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S2974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    RECOGNIZING MR. LUTHER'S 3RD GRADE CLASS AT BEACHWOOD ELEMENTARY

 Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I would like to recognize a truly 
outstanding feat by a 3rd grade class in Fort Lewis, Washington. Mr. 
Chris Luther's 3rd grade class at Beachwood Elementary School has not 
missed a spelling word on their weekly spelling tests for 25 weeks. 
Nearly a month ago, as my colleagues may remember, I announced an 
``Innovation in Education Award'' program to recognize the important 
role individuals and communities play in the education of America's 
students. This class and their teacher, Mr. Luther, are perfect 
examples of this principle in action.
  This is a classroom of average kids, all with different backgrounds 
and abilities. Yet, Mr. Luther has found a way to encourage and tutor 
these students so they are all accomplishing equally praiseworthy work. 
The key has not been some magical formula rather, the success of these 
students comes from a concerted effort by Mr. Luther to boost their 
self-esteem, to enhance their memory skills, and to impress upon every 
child in the classroom that learning is important. Those strategies 
combined with the individual effort of each of his students has clearly 
paid off.
  Mr. Luther's creativity to engage his students in learning extends 
far beyond spelling. Each year, he produces a ``Math Relay'' that 
involves some 2000 students from 88 local schools. This remarkable 
gathering combines physical activity and competition with math 
questions and answers. Not only does the size of the event speak highly 
of its success but, the fact that Mr. Luther handles the mind-boggling 
logistics of an event this size himself is further cause for 
recognizing this fine educator.
  I applaud Mr. Luther's initiative, creativity and ability to 
encourage his students to succeed. It is the work of educators like Mr. 
Luther and the efforts of students like those in Mr. Luther's 3rd grade 
class who are making education work across America. That is why it is 
my pleasure to recognize Mr. Luther and his third grade class for their 
accomplishments and it is why I hope my colleagues will join me in 
supporting local educators.

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