[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 70 (Friday, May 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E963-E964]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING TEACHERS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE DOROTHY KITTAKA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARK E. SOUDER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 1999

  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dorothy Kittaka, a 
music teacher at Haverhill Elementary School in Fort Wayne, IN, and one 
of only five teachers in the Nation to be inducted this year into the 
National Teachers Hall of fame.
  Throughout her career Dorothy has been recognized with numerous 
awards for her accomplishment in the classroom. She is a two-time 
Southwest Allen County Schools teacher of the year and a finalist for 
Indiana teacher of the year. In addition, in 1997, Parents Magazine 
recognized her with their ``As they Grow'' award, given to people who 
have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to effecting positive change 
in the lives of children.

[[Page E964]]

  However, Dorothy's sphere of influence reaches well beyond her 
classroom walls and into the community. Dorothy Kittaka is co-founder 
of the Foundation for the Arts and Music in Elementary Education--known 
as FAME. She is involved with the Indiana-Purdue, Fort Wayne Community 
Advisory Council; Arts United; the Fort Wayne Children's Choir and the 
Fort Wayne Philharmonic.
  Perhaps the best description of the unique gifts Dorothy Kittaka 
brings to her students was offered by Haverhill's principal: 
``Dorothy's entire life is an example of one who believes that the arts 
are a vital force in the education of children. Her enthusiasm for the 
importance of the arts ignites the spark of imagination, creativity and 
joy of learning in her students.''
  On behalf of the people of the Fourth District of Indiana, I want to 
thank Dorothy Kittaka for the countless contributions she has made to 
the lives of our young people.

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