[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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