[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 35 (Monday, March 27, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S1742]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CAPTAIN JERRY BURKE, EVERETT POLICE DEPARTMENT

 Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, throughout Washington state there 
are thousands of people who volunteer their free time to tutor, mentor, 
support our teachers and make a difference in their communities and in 
lives of our children. I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize an outstanding volunteer, Captain Jerry Burke of the Everett 
Police Department who has passed his love of the theater onto a group 
of elementary students at Madison Elementary in Everett. For his 
efforts, I am proud to award him with my ``Innovation in Education'' 
Awards.
  Captain Burke participates in a program in which members of the 
Police Command Staff adopt an elementary school in the Everett School 
District. While it is no surprise to see a police officer donating his 
or her time to a local school, Captain Burke is teaching something a 
little out of the ordinary for a cop who used to go undercover to bust 
drug dealers--he teaches a drama class.
  When Captain Burke first approached principal Joyce Stewart, she was 
intrigued by his Fine Arts Degree in Designing for the Theater and his 
experience teaching theater arts prior to entering law enforcement. 
Furthermore, she was already interested in creating a drama program to 
expose interested students to the fine arts. Though he had no prior 
experience in creating such a program, or in teaching drama to 
elementary school students, Captain Burke agreed to take on the 
challenge.
  This program has been a tremendous success. Captain Burke and the 
school created a drama club open to fourth and fifth graders that meets 
after school one day a week. The program continues to grow and 
approximately 35 students are now participating. The program combines 
lectures with creative drama games that emphasize communication, 
visualization, creativity, and improvisation. More importantly, the 
students enjoy the club and Captain Burke. Fourth grader Shawn Cook 
said, ``Police officers are always supposed to be tough. Mr. Burke is 
funny and tough.''
  This spring's club is limited to 10 weeks since Captain Burke is 
attending the FBI academy in April, but he and Ms. Stewart are already 
considering options for spring of 2001 that would create a second 
creative drama class of third and fourth graders. The more experienced 
fifth grade students from this year's club are planning to put on the 
school's first ever dramatic production. Clearly, Captain Burke has 
made a significant contribution to the lives of these students and 
given them an interest that will last throughout their life.
  One remarkable aspect of this program is that it demonstrates the 
importance of community involvement in our local schools. From this 
program, students will not only have an appreciation for the fine arts, 
but the will also have an appreciation for police officers and have a 
greater sense of community. I applaud the work of Captain Burke and 
wish his students the best of luck in producing their first play. Thank 
you to Captain Burke, and to all the members of the Everett Police 
Command staff for your contributions to local elementary 
schools.

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