[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 74 (Friday, June 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF TOP STUDENT HISTORIANS

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                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 6, 2002

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an 
outstanding history program in Colorado 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, ``Revolution, Reaction, Reform in 
History,'' encompasses endless possibilities for exploration. Each year 
more than 700,000 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 Coloradoans 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.
  I want to congratulate the outstanding accomplishments of the 
following students that will represent Colorado at the National History 
Day national contest, June 9-13 at the University of Maryland: Barbara 
Bragaglia, Darcy Evans, James Norton, Megan Fong, Emily Gu, Lili Mundle 
and Masha Godina.
  Their respective teachers also deserve our respect today. They have 
proven that excellent teaching must go beyond the 8 to 3 school day. 
Leigh Campbell-Hale of Fairview High School and Andy Aiken of Boulder 
High School are fine examples of the best in the teaching profession. 
Their encouragement and dedication has encouraged these students to 
strive to excellence and be successful in their endeavors. I would also 
like to thank Nancy Brown, State Coordinator of Colorado History Day, 
for all her hard work on behalf of these students.
  These impressive students represent educational excellence in 
America. Every student in Colorado should have the opportunity to 
participate in this enriching experience. I commend the coordinator of 
our state program and the Department of History at the University of 
Colorado at Boulder for their commitment to expanding History Day in 
Colorado. The National History Day program is truly a great asset to 
Colorado educators for instilling academic curiosity in our youth.

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