[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 77 (Wednesday, June 12, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5451-S5452]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING KATHY SHORTT

 Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Kathy 
Shortt, a teacher at Lebanon High School in Lebanon, VA, who is one of 
eight finalists for the Richard T. Farrell Teacher of Merit Award for 
outstanding success in teaching history.
  The Richard T. Farrell Award is presented each year to a teacher who 
employs innovative teaching methods in and out of the classroom. The 
teacher must participate in the National History Day program, develop 
and use creative teaching methods that interest students in history and 
help them

[[Page S5452]]

make exciting discoveries about the past, and show exemplary commitment 
to helping students develop their interests in history and recognizing 
their achievements.
  Ms. Shortt is being recognized for her dedication to the National 
History Day program and her success at improving history education. She 
has been involved in helping students participate in National History 
Day for 21 years and has presented at numerous workshops and acted as a 
mentor for other teachers for much of her career. She continues to have 
an impact on students even after they have left her classroom.
  During my term as Governor of Virginia, we recognized that there are 
fundamental academic basics that our children must learn if they are to 
be capable, responsible, and contributing citizens, and able to compete 
and succeed in the future. To ensure the success of our school 
children, we implemented high standards and accountability including 
history standards. We believed that Virginia's students should have the 
fundamental knowledge and understanding of their cultural and 
historical heritage that serves as a foundation for preserving a free, 
prosperous and decent society.
  I commend Kathy on her selection for this award and applaud her 
dedication to her students and the improvement of the educational 
process. With dedicated teachers like Kathy Shortt, I know the students 
in Virginia and indeed, across America have a bright future.

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