[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 53 (Monday, April 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S3865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE TRI-CITY CRYSTAL APPLE AWARDS PROGRAM

 Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, as my colleagues may remember, each 
week I give an Innovation in Education Award to recognize outstanding 
educators and education programs in Washington State. The premise is 
very simple, that local people in our communities, not bureaucrats here 
in Washington, DC, know best how to educate our children.
  As nominations for these awards have poured into my office, I 
received one noting the work of the program I will recognize today: the 
Tri-City Crystal Apple Awards. The Crystal Apple Awards is sponsored by 
local service groups, businesses, and individuals. The community comes 
together to recognize educators who have a positive impact on the lives 
and futures of their students.
  Each educator nominated for this award has demonstrated that he or 
she has a special focus on students, has enthusiasm and versatility in 
meeting individual needs, creativity in their use of curriculum and 
resources, give special attention to creating a constructive learning 
environment, have the ability to develop parent support and respect, 
and have the ability to inspire students so the student may achieve 
their maximum potential in life. These are truly outstanding 
characteristics for any educator to have.
  I commend the Crystal Apple Award program for recognizing the 
excellence that occurs in their midst. Too often today, educators of 
great merit go without recognition. Indeed, currently there is a heated 
debate occurring in Washington State regarding teacher pay and methods 
to improve compensation for these deserving educators. The Crystal 
Apple Awards are doing the right thing in teaming up with the community 
to recognize the people that are making the difference in their local 
schools. My only regret is that I am not able to be in Richland for the 
awards presentation.
  I hope that the attendees of the Crystal Apple Awards ceremony will 
have a pleasant event. I hope too that my colleagues will recognize the 
excellence in education found in communities across our country. This 
issue energizes me in a special way. I am glad to stand up for what the 
educators in my State have wanted for a long time: the freedom to 
innovate. That is why I will work hard this year to allow local 
communities to decide how to best spend their Federal education 
dollars; giving people like the recipients of the Crystal Apple Awards 
the flexibility to teach our kids the way they--and only they--know 
best.

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