[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 127 (Monday, September 27, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S11461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        INNOVATION IN EDUCATION

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, the Washington Post printed an article 
last Sunday about a group of WWII veterans returning to the beaches of 
Normandy to share stories and remember fallen brothers. It was yet 
another reminder of the closing window of opportunity historians have 
to glean first-hand accounts from the generation of men and women who 
lived through the Great Depression, fought in WWII and came back to 
build America into the greatest power of health and wealth in the 
world.
  The Washington Post wrote: ``World War II veterans are dying at a 
rate of more than 1,000 a day. `It's the equivalent to a library 
burning down every day,' said National Guard Maj. Gen. Gene Krase.''
  This week I'm presenting my Innovation in Education award to a group 
of students and educators in Wenatchee, Washington who are working to 
preserve the oral testimonies and first-hand accounts of the men and 
women who make up what some have called our greatest generation.
  Allison Agnew's 11th grade Honors English class at Eastmont High 
School began the Honor By Listening program last year, which pairs each 
student with an elder in the Wenatchee valley to document his or her 
personal history. After the student recorded and transcribed oral 
testimonies, they wrote out each story in narrative form.
  Businesses and leaders in the community support the process. 
Representatives from the North Central Washington Museum gave the 
students lessons on interviewing techniques and how to transcribe oral 
histories. Local librarians, attorneys, and business leaders joined 
educators to help the students edit their narratives. Materials and 
funds for publishing the final product came through donations from 
local businesses. It was a marvelous community effort.
  Incidentally, one of my own staff members, Don Moos, has volunteered 
countless hours of his time to help connect students with potential 
interviewees. Don himself is a veteran who fought in the European 
theater during World War II. In fact, he won a Purple Heart in the 
Battle of the Bulge, but I have yet to hear his whole story though we 
have been friends for years. I look forward to reading about his 
experiences.
  This year the junior class at Eastmont will continue the program. It 
already has obtained a list of 200 possible candidates to interview 
this fall.
  I am proud of the efforts these students are putting forth to not 
only learn about, but to preserve, the rich heritage of Washington 
State. It is efforts like these that convince me I am heading in the 
right direction with my Straight A's bill. If we give educators the 
freedom and flexibility to meet the unique needs of their students, 
while providing them with a system of accountability for the results, 
we will see more innovative programs like this one.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative assistant proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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