[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 79 (Wednesday, June 15, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6647-S6648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL HISTORY DAY

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise to recognize June 15, 2005 as 
National History Day. The National History Day Program is an annual 
celebration to recognize the importance of a strong history curriculum 
in schools in Missouri and across the country. This celebration is also 
a showcase for students across the Nation to present their knowledge 
and interest in particular events in history through performances, 
documentaries, and exhibits.
  This year, Missouri has 5 exemplary students selected from a group 
2,000 finalists to perform and present their projects at the 
Smithsonian American Art Museum. Kate LaRose, a student at Jefferson 
Junior High School in Columbia, MO, was recognized for her project 
``Martha Graham: The Power of Communication through Dance.'' Robert 
Adams, Raeed Chowdhury, Rui Du, and Yun-Han Huang, all students at 
Rolla High School in Rolla, MO, were also recognized for their exhibit 
titled ``Controversial Art: Thomas Hart Benton's Communication Tool.''
  I congratulate Katie, Robert, Raeed, Rui, and Yun-Hun for this honor 
and commended them for their dedication, commitment, and hard 
work.
  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I rise to take note of the 25th annual 
National History Day and express my strong support for the goals of the 
National History Day program. A basic knowledge of history is essential 
for our Nation's children to become informed participants in our 
democracy. National History Day promotes history education in 
Connecticut and throughout the Nation.
  The National History Day Program encourages students to think 
critically

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and create dramatic performances, exhibits, documentaries, and research 
papers by exploring a variety of resources beyond classroom textbooks. 
Students in grades 6-12 engage in this challenging year-long program in 
order to gain a better understanding of the importance of studying 
history. I believe that a fundamental understanding of history is 
imperative in order to appreciate the present world situation. Fifty 
students from Connecticut have demonstrated their proficiency in the 
subject area by having been selected as National History Day finalists 
from our State.
  As a Senator from the State of Connecticut, I am pleased to 
congratulate the students from Connecticut who have been selected to 
represent our State at this year's National History Day competition. It 
also gives me great pleasure to pay special tribute to Sadie Hartell 
and Elizabeth Kelly. Sadie Hartell and Elizabeth Kelly, both students 
at Hall Memorial School in Willington, CT, were among the 19 students 
chosen out of more than half a million across America to display and 
present their history projects at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. 
Sadie's project is titled ``The Beatles: Communicating to their 
Generation.'' Elizabeth's project is titled ``The Second American 
Revolution: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and her Fight.''
  I applaud all 50 delegates from the State of Connecticut for having 
been selected to represent our State as finalists in the National 
History Day competition and commend these students for their diligence 
and creativity. I join with the citizens of the State of Connecticut in 
wishing them well in all their future endeavors.
  Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, I am delighted to come to the floor today 
to congratulate Nathan Przestrzelski of Swannanoa, NC and Stephen 
Gordon of Fletcher, NC on being selected to present their award-winning 
history projects at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History 
and the Smithsonian American Art Museum in celebration of National 
History Day.
  For 25 years the National History Day Program has brought history to 
life for students across our country. By combining creativity with 
scholarship, students are finding a new appreciation for the past while 
developing valuable skills in writing and analytical reasoning. Most 
importantly, this program focuses on inspiring each child to reach his 
or her full potential, and in doing so provides a great service by 
increasing their confidence and ability to succeed.
  This year the National History Day Program asked students to present 
projects on the theme ``Communication in History: the Key to 
Understanding.'' Students were asked to explore the role communication 
plays in history and its significance in helping shape how historical 
changes have been understood.
  Let me share with you the two wonderful projects Nathan and Stephen 
presented.
  Nathan presented his exhibit entitled, ``The History of Spring 
Training: Communication is the Key to Understanding the Merger of 
Athletic Preparation with Market Magic.'' His project explores how 
baseball's spring training has grown from traditionally being a means 
for athletic preparation to today becoming a multi-million dollar 
industry expressed through business marketing. Nathan was able to 
incorporate his love of sports, his interest in business, and his 
appreciation of history to better understand how this tradition evolved 
over time.
  Stephen also presented his project, a documentary entitled, ``Telling 
Tales: The Appalachian Oral Tradition.'' His work depicts how the 
people of Appalachia have communicated ideas, history, heritage, and 
values through the use of nothing more than oral tradition. Stephen was 
able to trace stories from the mountains of North Carolina back over 
hundreds of years and show how fundamental concepts were passed from 
generation to generation.
  Through their hard work and dedication, these young historians show 
that discovering, understanding, and interpreting history is not only 
important, but exciting.
  Today is a proud day for Nathan, Stephen, and their families. We are 
proud of these student's hard work, dedication, and tremendous 
achievements. I believe passionately that education is the foundation 
for success, and I am encouraged to see students so active in the 
learning process. I hope Nathan and Stephen have enjoyed this 
experience and I wish them continued success in the years ahead.
  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, the importance of learning and 
appreciating history cannot be understated. Men and women--young and 
old--benefit from learning about the past as a way to shape the future. 
Today, the National History Day Program is honoring students from 
around our Nation who have displayed excellence in the study of 
history, and I am pleased to recognize five students from my home State 
of Ohio who are participating in this important program.
  The National History Day Program actually originated in Ohio at Case 
Western Reserve University in Cleveland. The National History Day 
Program allows students to create exhibits, documentaries, and 
performances by using their critical thinking and research skills in 
the subject of history. This year is a special year, as the National 
History Day organization is celebrating its 25th Anniversary of 
training students and teachers to incorporate libraries, museums, and 
archives into their learning plans.
  I would like to take a moment to recognize the Ohioans who are 
participating this year. Megan Daines, a student at Hannan Trace 
Elementary in Crown City, OH, presented her project, titled ``The 
Underground Railroad: Communication between Two Worlds,'' at the 
Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Holly Anderson, a 
student at Canton County Day School in Massillon, OH, was one of 19 
students chosen from over 2,000 finalists to perform her original work, 
``All of a Flutter: The Secret Language of the Fan,'' in the Grand 
Salon in the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
  Ian Shaw of Sylvania, Michael Kreuz of Swanton, and Ben Spang of 
Toledo are three Ohio home-schooled students, who have been selected to 
present their project at the National Museum of Health and Medicine. 
Ian, Michael, and Ben joined Isaac Skaggs of Michigan to complete a 
documentary titled, ``A Voice in the Darkness: Dr. Jonathan Mann, 
Uniting the World Against AIDS.''
  I congratulate all of these students for their presentations and 
performances. Their dedication to the pursuit of excellence in the 
study of history sets a great example for our Nation's youth. I join 
all Ohioans in wishing them all the best in their future endeavors.
  Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate Michael Walsh of 
Omaha, NE, an outstanding student and young history scholar whose 
National History Day project has been chosen out of half a million in 
America to be presented today at the White House Visitor Center. 
Michael's documentary, ``Let the Word Go Forth: JFK's New Frontier,'' 
highlights President Kennedy's unique ability to communicate 
effectively with both Americans and leaders throughout the world, 
especially during the Cuban missile crisis, a critical time in 
America's history. His project shows that young Americans can take 
important historical events and share them with us in an interesting 
and educational way. Michael is a student at Lewis and Clark Middle 
School in Omaha.
  National History Day is a unique approach to teaching and learning 
history in our Nation's classrooms. It allows students to create 
exhibits, documentaries and performances by using their critical 
thinking and research skills in the subject of history. This year marks 
the 25th anniversary of the National History Day organization.
  All of Nebraska is proud of Michael's commitment to scholarship. This 
young Nebraskan understands that history shapes our future and 
influences the world we live in today. I ask my colleagues to join me 
and all Americans in honoring Michael Walsh and all students who 
participated in National History Day.

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