[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 86 (Friday, June 30, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         McNULTY, HIGGINS HONORED FOR OLD KING COAL DAY PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2000

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Carol 
McNulty, a teacher at Edward Mackin Elementary School in Wilkes-Barre, 
and the Newspaper in Education program of the Citizens' Voice, which is 
run by Debby Higgins. Carol and Debby will be coming to Washington to 
receive an award from the Newspaper Association of America for their 
Old King Coal Day project.
  The NAA will present them with one of its Newspaper Innovators in 
Education Awards on July 14, and they will also be participating in a 
week-long educational seminar as guests of the NAA. They in turn will 
present the Old King Coal Day program to Newspapers in Education people 
from across the country.
  This project began as a way to teach a new generation of children 
about the history of Northeastern Pennsylvania, especially the role 
that the anthracite coal mining industry played in the region's 
development. Through the efforts of many people, Old King Coal Day 
became a reality on Sept. 23, 1999 at Edward Mackin Elementary School.
  Students listened to speeches about the Molly Maguires and breaker 
boys, watched presentations about mining tools and equipment, and 
learned about the area's coal heritage. The organizers felt the day was 
a success and are planning a second Old King Coal Day for September at 
the Pringle Street Elementary School in the Wyoming Valley West School 
District. This spring, I visited with the students at Mackin elementary 
and can attest to the enthusiasm Ms. McNulty has generated. Old King 
Coal Day stimulated the students to seek a postal stamp honoring coal 
miners. On their behalf, I recently submitted to the Citizens' Stamp 
Advisory Committee the petitions that the students circulated, bearing 
more than 2,000 signatures.
  One of the fourth-grade students, Stephen Grobinski, whose great-
great-grandfather was killed in a coal mine, wrote an especially moving 
letter to the head of the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee explaining 
why a coal miners stamp would be important to him. I would like to have 
this letter reprinted in full below

       Dear Dr. Virginia Noelke: We want you to issue the stamp, 
     because we want to honor the dead miners. How would you feel 
     if your dad, grandpa, uncle, and your friends died in a mine? 
     My great, great grandpa died in the mines. How do you think 
     other people feel? I don't feel happy. They probably feel sad 
     that their dads, grandpas and uncles died.
       We did lots of projects for ``Old King Coal Day.'' We did 
     it to honor all the miners. I know somewhere in your heart 
     you feel sad. If you don't, I can't understand why. People 
     say that children can make a difference, and that is our 
     goal.
       One thing I want to know is why did you say no to all the 
     people that asked you to issue the stamp? I hope you listen 
     to us. If you say yes, I know that all the little people like 
     me can make a difference in our lives. I said little people 
     could make a difference because all my life I gave up, but 
     this time I'm not going to give up! This is one thing that I 
     want to accomplish!. I want a stamp to honor the coal miners. 
     Please, say you will grant my special wish.
           Sincerely,
                                                Stephen Grobinski.

  The NAA award, which is a monetary prize, will be shared by the 
Wilkes-Barre Area School District, which participated in the First Old 
King Coal Day, and the Citizens' Voice NIE program.
  Mr. Speaker, I think it is also worth noting that Carol McNulty has 
been named The Citizens' Voice Teacher of the Year. Both Carol McNulty 
and Debby Higgins are to be commended for their fine work with our 
young people and for ensuring that our history is passed on to future 
generations.
  I also congratulate the Newspaper Association of America for creating 
this program to encourage newspapers to become more actively involved 
in schools. Our democracy depends on well-informed citizens, and this 
program helps to develop our young people into the active citizens of 
tomorrow.
  I am pleased to call the service of Carol McNulty and Debby Higgins 
and their well-deserved honors to the attention of the House of 
Representatives, and I send my best wishes for continued success.

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