[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 132 (Wednesday, September 24, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NORTH STAR CHARTER SCHOOL

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                       HON. C. L. ``BUTCH'' OTTER

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2003

  Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the work and purpose 
of the North Star Charter School in Eagle, Idaho. This public school 
was founded by volunteers--parents with a vision of virtue, citizenship 
and leadership not only for their own children but also for their 
community and our nation.
  I recently had the honor of visiting the North Star Charter School at 
its new building, not far from my ranch in Idaho. About 270 students 
joined with 20 excellent faculty members and a similar number of 
involved, caring parents as we unveiled a painting of George Washington 
at prayer. That painting now is displayed prominently near the school's 
main entrance. It is a stirring image of the first and greatest of our 
Founding Fathers, and it provides a fitting reminder of the kind of 
values that the North Star Charter School has made the foundation of 
its curriculum and educational environment.
  The school for kindergarteners through eighth-graders, led by Board 
of Directors Chairman Gale Pooley and Principal Nancy Smith, has 
established as its mission the development of virtuous citizen leaders. 
The lives and work of our Founding Fathers are the historical 
guideposts of that journey.
  Even the school's name provides a constant reminder that its goals 
are unwavering and steadfast, like the North Star itself--an eternal 
beacon trusted by navigators searching for new lands, or simply making 
their way home.
  I couldn't hope to say it any better than the school's own mission 
statement: ``The North Star Charter School will endeavor to develop 
each student into a leader that can be trusted to serve the interests 
of his family, community, profession and nation with the strength of 
character and the depth of knowledge to stand for the time-honored 
principles and ideals of a free and open society.''
  Mr. Speaker, I am extremely proud to represent the school, its 
students and the families that find such great value in the timeless 
lessons of our nation's birth.

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