[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 135 (Tuesday, October 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING KAREN OSTDIEK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 15, 2002

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding 
teacher who has exemplified the ideal of assuring that ``No Child is 
Left Behind.'' Karen Ostdiek, a second grade teacher at St. Anthony's 
school in Fresno, California, went above and beyond the call of duty 
for Hunter Jameson, a student in her class, when he was diagnosed with 
cancer in early September 2001.
  Hunter's parents, Mike and Catherine Jameson, and St. Anthony's 
principal, Shawn Carey, credit Ms. Ostdiek with keeping Hunter up to 
date with his work even though he was out of the classroom for the 
majority of the school year. Thanks to Karen's extra effort and 
commitment to her students, Hunter will be able to go on to third grade 
in the fall.
  Karen made sure Hunter was included in all classroom activities, 
posting his work in the classroom alongside the other students' and 
delivering him personal pizzas when the class earned a party. Hunter 
was able to return to school on May 6 and was warmly greeted by his 
fellow second-graders in Ms. Ostdiek's class. Karen was awarded an 
Angel on Earth award, for her work with Hunter, at a teacher 
appreciation luncheon. The praise is well deserved, although she does 
not see that she has done anything special, just her job. Her humility 
only serves to underline why Karen is so deserving of the appreciation 
and honor she has received.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Karen Ostdiek for her 
dedication to the education of our young people and her commitment to 
excellence. I invite my colleagues to join me in thanking Karen for her 
outstanding service and compassionate response to Hunter Jameson and 
his family.

                          ____________________