[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 49 (Thursday, April 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E545-E546]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING DEB BUSWELL OF LaCROSSE, WI

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 4, 2001

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to a constituent 
of mine, and a very special teacher, Debra Buswell. Debra Buswell was 
recently named Outstanding Environmental Educator of the Year. Debra, a 
teacher at Longfellow Middle School from my home town of La Crosse, 
Wisconsin, is currently the team leader for the School on the River 
program, housed within Longfellow. This program allows students to work 
on a variety of environmental projects, including stocking fish with 
Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources and compiling river 
information for the U.S. Geological Survey's Upper Midwest 
Environmental Sciences Center.
  It is also with great pleasure that I recognize the School on the 
River program itself as one of eight recipients to receive a Seaworld/
Busch Gardens 2001 Environmental Excellence Award. This award 
recognizes the efforts of students to protect and preserve the 
environment at a local level. In addition to national recognition for 
its outstanding achievements, the School on the River will receive 
$15,000 for specialized equipment, 100 T-shirts, trophies and 
certificates, and all-expense-paid trips for three students and one 
teacher to attend ceremonies in Florida and Missouri.
  All of us in the La Crosse area applaud the efforts of Debra Buswell 
and Principal Glen Jenkins for their outstanding efforts to raise 
environmental consciousness among Longfellow students, and at the same 
time, to engage students in non-traditional learning environments. This 
exposure to critical thinking and higher mathematical skills, 
management techniques, and team building exercises will benefit them 
for years to come. With the dedication and support of the school, 
Principal Jenkins, and Debra Buswell, this ten-year old program is now 
beginning to receive the national recognition it deserves. I 
congratulate Principal Jenkins, Debra Buswell, and the students who 
participate in the program for their hard work and dedication to 
improving the local environment in their home community.
  With the continued awareness of the importance to having a healthy 
environment, I am

[[Page E546]]

grateful that students and residents from western Wisconsin remain 
committed to improving the local environment for the benefit of this 
generation and the many generations to follow. It is my sincere hope 
that we can here in Congress take this example back to our own 
communities to strengthen our own constituents' efforts to raise 
awareness regarding local environmental issues.
  Obviously, the teaching going on at Longfellow Middle School is near 
and dear to my heart. Growing up, I spent a lot of time along the 
Mississippi River. Now I live right on the Mississippi, and take my two 
sons down to the River to fish, or just explore, whenever possible. The 
important role the Mississippi River plays in the lives of my 
constituents is, in fact, why I helped form the bipartisan Mississippi 
River Caucus as one of the first things I did when joining Congress. I 
also continually support initiatives to benefit the river such as the 
EMP program and the Upper Mississippi Wildlife Refuge. And this year, I 
will reintroduce my Upper Mississippi River Basin Conservation Act.
  On behalf of the residents of western Wisconsin, I proudly commend 
Debra Buswell on her recognition as an Outstanding Environmental 
Educator. I also commend the School on the River for being recognized 
for its efforts to improve the local environment in western Wisconsin. 
The La Crosse School District and local community are better places to 
live thanks to the efforts of these middle-school students and their 
dedicated teacher.

                          ____________________