[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 76 (Thursday, June 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING GRANT COMMUNITY MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS, RECIPIENTS OF A 
              2004 PRESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL YOUTH AWARD

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                          HON. DARLENE HOOLEY

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 9, 2005

  Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a group of 
students from Grant Community Middle School in Salem, Oregon who were 
awarded a Presidential Environmental Youth Award. Since 1971, this 
award has recognized young people from across the United States who 
have demonstrated a commitment to the environment.
  This group of thirty 6th grade students from Grant, whom I recently 
had the pleasure of meeting, has made a real impact in the effort to 
restore habitat for an endangered animal, the Fender's Blue Butterfly. 
As the Willamette Valley has been developed, the butterfly has lost its 
natural prairie habitat, and the Kincaid lupine plant, a major staple 
of the butterfly's diet, has nearly disappeared. The butterfly has 
become so rare that at one point it was believed to be extinct.
  After learning about the Fender's Blue Butterfly, the class 
researched, created, and implemented a three-year program to help 
preserve this rare insect. The students worked with Marion County to 
convert Bonesteele Park into a native Willamette Valley prairie. Two 
years after the students began the project, Kincaid lupine plants began 
to grow and several of the endangered butterflies have been spotted in 
the area.
  The students also sought to raise awareness among other young people 
about the importance of natural prairie habitat by holding a 
Celebrating Prairie Festival. Over 600 elementary school students 
attended the festival, which included a bilingual play in English and 
Spanish that explained the threats facing the Fender's blue 
butterflies.
  I commend these students for their efforts. Their hard work and 
dedication made a real difference that will help preserve this 
butterfly for future generations.

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