[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 2, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THANKING THE STUDENTS OF ALCOTT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR SUPPORTING OUR 
                                 TROOPS

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 1, 2004

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my gratitude to 
three classrooms at Alcott Elementary School in San Diego: Mrs. Dee 
Murphy's class in Room B-4, Ms. Natalie Crain's class in Room 9, and 
Ms. Cindy Weiss' class in Room 20. All of the children in these three 
classes sent letters of support to my District Director, Nathan 
Fletcher, who is a Marine Corps reservist currently deployed in Iraq.
  The students' letters included words of support, and reminders of San 
Diego for Nathan and his unit who are deployed out of Camp Pendleton. 
Their letters included funny jokes, anecdotes about the students' 
families and pets, praise for our armed forces for their efforts to 
keep America safe, and thanks for their work to liberate the children 
and people of Iraq.
  Mrs. Murphy's class also sent ``Flat Stanley'' to visit with Nathan 
in Iraq. In the book, Flat Stanley, by Jeff Brown, Stanley is squashed 
flat by a falling bulletin board. One of the many advantages is that 
Flat Stanley can now visit his friends by traveling in an envelope. 
Flat Stanley has joined Nathan on patrols, and has sent pictures back 
to Mrs. Murphy's class from his many adventures. The students also sent 
books and newspapers, and some small snacks and treats.
  I am so proud and appreciative of the students from Alcott 
Elementary. Their simple act of sending a letter has lifted the spirits 
of Nathan's Unit. In the midst of many long monotonous days, while our 
troops are missing their families and loved ones at home, these letters 
reminded our marines from Camp Pendleton of the wonderful things that 
wait for them when they arrive back home. At the same time, the 
students are learning about events in the world. I also hope that this 
exchange will help the students to better understand how very fortunate 
they are to live in America. Many of the children in Iraq have no 
shoes, and poor medical care (if any). There isn't enough room for 
everyone to attend schools, so often the girls go to school in the 
morning and the boys go to school in the afternoon. Through their 
interaction with Nathan, the students of Alcott Elementary are catching 
a glimpse of the lives of a handful of Iraqi children.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking the students of Alcott 
Elementary for their support of our troops. Their letters and gifts 
have helped to remind our troops that America stands firmly behind them 
and anxiously awaits their safe return home.

                          ____________________