[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 22, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E882]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                RECOGNITION FOR TWO OUTSTANDING TEACHERS

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                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 22, 2001

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
two teachers, Jack Ganse and Micheal Matassa of Superior, Colorado. 
Jack and Michael are eighth grade science and math teachers at Eldorado 
K-8 school. They have initiated a program in which their classes will 
work together to study how the tremendous population growth Superior 
has experienced effects the quality of the air, land, and water.
  In this program, Jack and Michael have found a way to engage our 
children in a meaningful educational experience. This experience will 
engage the students in an issue that our civic leaders must wrestle 
with on a continuous basis. It will be an education in math and science 
and civics all at the same time.
  As in many parts of the country, urban sprawl has become a great 
concern to the citizens of Colorado. Superior has grown from a small, 
rural town of 250 residents in the mid-1980's to a community of nearly 
9,000 residents according to the 2000 census. It holds the title of 
Colorado's fastest growing town. Jack and Michael and their students 
are going to investigate the effects of this growth on everything from 
wildlife to possible local climate change from all the new concrete. In 
addition to posting their findings on the school's web site, the 
classes will also provide the information to the town board, so that it 
can then be used to assist in municipal decisions.
  Jack and Michael are two of only 55 pairs of teachers nation wide to 
earn a $15,000 grant from Verizon to fund their project. This project 
will continue each year with each succeeding class picking it up and 
adding to the database.
  At a time when unchecked growth is having detrimental impacts on our 
natural resources and environment, these two individuals are connecting 
our students' energies and knowledge to a pressing community need. They 
are teaching them that their studies can have a practical application, 
an application that will benefit the entire community.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to personally thank Jack Ganse and Michael 
Matassa for their selfless dedication to their community and to the 
education of the students to whom we entrust to them.

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