[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 73 (Tuesday, June 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E983-E984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             A TRIBUTE TO LAUREN POLLINI AND IRENE SORENSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 13, 2000

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your 
attention the fine achievement of Lauren Pollini, a seventh-grade 
student from Home Street Middle School in Bishop, CA. Lauren was a 
recent competitor in the National History Day Competition (June 11-15) 
at the University of Maryland. The competition involved students from 
across the United States who submitted projects on this year's theme: 
``Turning Points in History, People, Ideas, Events.''
  Lauren qualified for the national competition by first winning 
California State History Day competitions at the county and state 
levels. Her essay, entitled ``Sunset School of Weedpatch, California: A 
Turning Point for

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Children, Teachers And Community,'' won the State historical research 
category. Lauren also won three special recognition awards and two 
historical groups would like to publish her paper in their official 
publications.
  Lauren's outstanding accomplishments were undoubtedly guided by the 
leadership of her teacher, Mrs. Irene Sorensen. Irene is a past winner 
of the Richard Farrell Award from the National History Day as the 1996 
Teacher of Merit.
  Irene retired this month after 19 years of teaching at Home Street 
School and leading students to statewide and national recognition. The 
town of Bishop, and Home Street School are 200 miles from the closest 
university library or other academic research facility. Yet under 
Irene's direction, Home Street students have won at the State level and 
qualified for National History Day nine times during the 13 years of 
History Day competition. Clearly, the dedication of young students like 
Lauren, and the guidance of teachers like Irene Sorensen, make our 
public school system the finest in the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me and our colleagues in recognizing 
Lauren Pollini for her fine accomplishment. To say the least, her fine 
work is admired by all of us. I'd also like to commend Irene Sorensen 
for her fine leadership and her devotion to such remarkable educational 
standards, and wish her well in her new endeavors. Students like Lauren 
and instructors like Irene set a fine example for us all and it is only 
appropriate that the House pay tribute to them both today.

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