[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 12, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1074-E1075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      A TRIBUTE TO TOP STUDENT HISTORIANS FROM BISHOP, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 12, 2001

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your 
attention the outstanding accomplishments three student historians who 
are protegees of retired teacher Irene Sorensen of Bishop, California. 
Working with Mrs. Sorensen on independent study assignments, eighth 
graders Lauren Pollini and Kristen Kamei, and 10th grader Patrick 
Koske-McBride won a place on the California team at the National 
History Day competition at the University of Maryland this week. The 
competition involved students from across the United States who 
submitted projects on this year's theme: ``Frontiers in History: 
People, Places, Ideas.''
  Lauren and Kristen qualified for the national competition by first 
winning California State History Day competitions at the county and 
state levels. Their exhibit, entitled ``An Education Frontier: 
Assimilation Through Education: An Owens Valley Paiute Experience,'' 
won the state junior group exhibit category. This is Lauren's second 
trip to the National History Day competition--she was a finalist last 
year in the Junior Historical Paper competition.
  This is also Patrick's second trip to National History Day. The 
Bishop Union High School student qualified for the national competition 
this year with a historical paper titled ``Genetics Genesis: How the 
Double Helix Transformed the World.'' He also wrote his project 
independently of his regular classroom work.
  The outstanding accomplishments of Lauren, Kristen and Patrick were 
undoubtedly guided by the leadership of her teacher, Mrs.

[[Page E1075]]

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 last year month after 19 years of teaching at Home 
Street School and leading students to statewide and national 
recognition, but agreed this year to work with her former students on 
their projects. 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, Bishop 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 
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, Kristen Kamei and Patrick Koske-McBride for their fine 
accomplishment. I'd also like to commend Irene Sorensen for her fine 
leadership and her devotion to such remarkable educational standards. 
Students like Lauren, Kristen and Patrick and instructors like Irene 
set a fine example for us all and it is only appropriate that the House 
pay tribute to them all today.

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