[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 103 (Monday, July 23, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING PAUL ZSCHOKKE-

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 23, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this moment to honor a 
man who has been offered a unique opportunity, Paul Zschokke. Paul has 
been nominated to spend a week at Space Camp learning the mental, 
physical and emotional strains that face this Nation's astronauts. This 
experience will not only benefit Paul, but also the thirty, ten- and 
eleven-year-old students Paul teaches each year at Highland Park 
Elementary School.
  For eighteen years Paul has been a teacher in Pueblo and in that time 
he has molded the minds of hundreds of students. Paul was not always 
interested in teaching, when he was younger electronics was his 
interest, but when he got to college he decided to major in psychology, 
because he wanted to spend his life with people. His early interest in 
science is apparent in Paul's lesson plans. He has been trying to 
incorporate science and math into his writing curriculum, because 
writing is such a crucial skill at any age. For the last eight years 
Paul has been working closely with the Pueblo Boeing plant, to expose 
his students to aerodynamics, aerospace and how real business functions 
bring to life math and science. The field trips to the plant have 
allowed his students a unique perspective on the real life application 
of the subjects that seem so abstract in the school setting.
  The program that Paul has implemented, Pueblo with Boeing, is the 
main reason that Paul will be attending space camp. Although Paul never 
wanted to become an astronaut, he did say, ``I always wanted to be one 
of those guys in the white shirts on the ground trying to figure out 
the problems.'' By the end of his week at Space Camp, Paul will be at 
mission control in Houston watching those men ``in white shirts'' in 
action. Throughout this experience Paul has set the personal goal of 
finding more ways to merge English with science. If Paul accomplishes 
his goal, not only will his life be enriched by this experience, but 
also the lives of his students.
  In a time when Congress is continually looking for a way to improve 
education in the United States, it is commendable when a teacher takes 
the initiative to improve his skills and knowledge for the benefit of 
his students. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I stand before you to recognize 
Paul Zschokke. Good luck at Space Camp, Paul, and I hope you continue 
to strive to be the best teacher you can be.

                          ____________________