[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 5 (Monday, January 26, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S242-S243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         OREGON EDUCATION HERO

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to honor one of 
Oregon's unsung heros, Dean Azule. For more than three decades, Mr. 
Azule has dedicated his life to educating and enriching the lives of 
countless young Oregonians. He is an educator in both mind and spirit 
and has dedicated his life to ensuring the success of Oregon's youth.

[[Page S243]]

  While attending Oregon College of Education, OCE, now know as Western 
Oregon State University, Mr. Azule worked as a family liaison with an 
American Indian youth program funded by the Indian Education Act. As a 
family liaison, he tutored and counseled hundreds of American Indian 
youth, providing career guidance and helping them to explore their 
career opportunities. Upon graduation from OCE, Mr. Azule joined the 
Northwest Regional Educational Lab and worked on their Indian Reading 
Language Development Program. This program has been invaluable in 
helping American Indian youth keep their indigenous languages alive.
  Mr. Azule next established the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde's 
extremely successful Education Department. With his invaluable 
assistance, the Department now includes Head Start, Youth Education, 
Higher Education, and Vocational training programs which has served to 
help the lives of hundreds of tribal members. The Grand Ronde Education 
Department has become a model of success across the county--much to the 
tireless efforts of Mr. Azule.
  After almost 10 years with the Grand Ronde Tribes, Mr. Azule joined 
the Salem-Keizer public school system in 1999. Active in community 
outreach programs, he has helped disadvantaged children continue their 
education despite facing social and economical hardships at Washington 
Elementary, Keizer Elementary, and Miller Elementary School. Most 
recently, he has taken a behavioral health position at the new West 
Salem High school.
  Mr. Azule is a true champion for Oregon's children, and I know he 
will continue to play a vital role in educating and making a difference 
in the lives of children in our State. His tireless spirit serves as an 
inspiration to us all. Today, I am proud to honor Dean Azule as an 
education hero for our great State of Oregon.

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