[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 45 (Tuesday, April 11, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2521-S2522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNITION OF FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL RICK OTTO

 Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, for the past seven years, the 
children at

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Franklin Middle School in Yakima, Washington have benefitted greatly 
from the dedication and hard work of their principal, Mr. Rick Otto. He 
has been credited by his colleagues for turning the school around with 
his new ideas, helping disadvantaged students, and creating a positive 
atmosphere. I applaud Principal Otto's work to bring about such 
important changes and improvements in his school and am proud to 
present Principal Otto with my next ``Innovation in Education'' Award.
  Principal Otto has a distinguished record of service at Franklin 
Middle School. For many years, he taught technology classes before 
working as an assistant principal. In 1993, he became the principal and 
realized that in order to improve Franklin Middle School, the community 
would have to become more involved. Throughout his tenure, Principal 
Otto has built a strong relationship with parents, community leaders 
and residents of the surrounding neighborhoods. The work of Principal 
Otto and the community has made a tremendous impact resulting in a 
renewed sense of discipline and higher expectations in student 
performance.
  One of the challenges taken on by Principal Otto was improving the 
academic achievement of its high-concentration of non-English speaking 
families as well as helping students traditionally described as 
disadvantaged. Under Mr. Otto's leadership, Franklin created an ``At-
Risk'' program which targets the children who are having trouble in 
school, gives them more attention in the classroom, and monitors their 
improvement. In the past five years, 69 percent of the students 
participating in the ``At-Risk'' program have improved in all areas of 
their education. The ``At-Risk'' program has also vastly improved the 
morale of students and staff across the Franklin campus.
  I have heard many words of praise from members of the Franklin Middle 
School community who regard him as a model educator and admire his 
steadfast dedication to his students. Their words speak more highly of 
Principal Otto than I, as a United States Senator, ever could.
  Clearly, Principal Otto is a leader in the field of education who 
recognizes the challenges that exist in his school and works each day 
to meet those challenges and make his students better learners. I 
applaud Principal Otto and know that the past, present and future 
children attending Franklin Middle School will be better students 
because of him.

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