[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 5, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S4905]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         DISTINGUISHED MONTANANS

 Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise today with great pride to 
honor a group of distinguished Montanans. Alyson Mike and Thomas 
Andres, Montana's 2004 Milken Educator Award recipients deserve 
recognition for their outstanding work and service to our State and to 
the children they teach every day.
   Public service is the most noble thing a person can do. Whether it 
is service to one's church, community or government, there is nothing 
more honorable. Alyson and Thomas are at the top of a lengthy list of 
quality teachers in Montana to stand among their fellow American 
teachers to receive this national award.
   The Milken Educator Award provides public recognition and a $25,000 
honorarium to teachers, principals and other educators who have a 
proven record of excellence in education. Alyson, a natural science 
teacher at East Valley Middle School, and Thomas, a science teacher at 
St. Labre Catholic Indian School, both have strong records of 
excellence. In fact, I was recently honored to recognize Alyson as 
Montana's 2004 Teacher of the Year.
   In Montana, there is little difference between our schools and our 
communities. This award highlights the great quality of teachers we 
have in Montana and spotlights the good things happening in our 
schools.
   Alyson and Thomas are two of Montana's high quality teachers that 
are helping to shape our State's future. They are creating an 
environment that encourages learning, instilling a curiosity and a 
desire to learn--all of which will produce a more educated workforce. A 
better educated work force will spur job creation and translate into a 
stronger economy with more good-paying jobs. The best way to ensure 
Montana's future is through a well-educated work force.
   We in Montana are very fortunate to be able to claim teachers like 
Alyson Mike and Thomas Andres as our very own. They are playing a vital 
role in our State's future. I commend Alyson and Thomas for all they 
have done and I am confident they will continue to serve their students 
well.
   I would also like to recognize Polson High School as Montana's 2004 
winner of the `We the People' Competition. By winning the State 
competition, nineteen of our State's brightest government students and 
their teacher qualified to represent Montana in the National Civics 
Competition on the United States Constitution.
   The names of the 19 students who are receiving this honor are as 
follows: Charlie Cooper, Chance Dupuis, Sky Fredrickson, Ashley 
Gilchrist, Kasey Harwood, Rosanna Ho, Chad Hunsucker, Bonnie Klein, 
Brandon McCurdy, Kdee Meidinger, Zach Morrow, Candace Myers, Andrew 
Ofstad, Kiel Rafter, Chris Rossmith, Kai Smith, Kate Taylor, and 
Christine Woidtke.
   Pat Danley is the teacher whose expertise, guidance, and 
encouragement that helped these students receive this honor. Pat Danley 
is a veteran government and political science teacher at Polson High 
School. I commend Pat on his ability to prepare these students for this 
competition.
   These students have demonstrated a strong understanding of the U.S. 
Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Here in Congress, I think we can 
all recognize the value of fostering civic competence and 
responsibility. These students are Montana's future leaders, and I am 
proud to recognize their accomplishment.

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