[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 134 (Tuesday, October 24, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S10924]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL HISTORY DAY

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize an outstanding 
history education program in Vermont and throughout the United States. 
National History Day is a year-long nonprofit program through which 
students in grades 6-12 research and create historical projects related 
to a broad theme, culminating in an annual contest. This year's 
National History Day theme, Frontiers in History: People, Places, 
Ideas, encompasses endless possibilities for exploration. Each year 
more than 500,000 students participate in this nationwide event that 
encourages students to delve into various facets of world, national, 
regional, or local history and to produce original research projects.
  By encouraging young Vermonters to take advantage of the wealth of 
primary historical resources available to them, students are able to 
gain a richer understanding of historical issues, ideas, people and 
events. Students in this program learn how to analyze a variety of 
primary sources such as photographs, letters, posters, maps, artifacts, 
sound recordings and motion pictures. This significant academic 
exercise encourages intellectual growth while helping students to 
develop critical thinking and problem solving skills that will help 
them manage and use information.
  In June I had the pleasure of meeting with the 25 winners of this 
year's Vermont History Day contest here in Washington as they 
participated in the national contest held at the University of 
Maryland. These impressive students represent the great benefit of 
fostering and encouraging academic curiosity in our youth. Every 
student in Vermont should have the opportunity to participate in this 
enriching experience. I commend the coordinator of our state program, 
the Vermont Historical Society, for its commitment to expanding History 
Day in Vermont. The National History Day program is a truly great asset 
to Vermont educators and students in their quest for educational 
excellence.

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