[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 131 (Monday, October 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   ACKNOWLEDGING STUDENTS AND STAFF OF BERTSCHI SCHOOL IN SEATTLE, WA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JAY INSLEE

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 17, 2005

  Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I acknowledge 
the students and staff of Bertschi School in Seattle, WA, for sending 
heartfelt greetings to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
  In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I traveled to Houston to visit 
the evacuees who were housed in the Astrodome. I brought handwritten 
letters from citizens of my home town, Bainbridge Island, WA, and 
handed them out as I met so many courageous individuals who had lost 
everything; their homes, their jobs, their belongings, and in some 
cases, their families, during their hurried evacuation of New Orleans. 
As I handed out the letters written by citizens who live thousands of 
miles away, I witnessed how meaningful these words of compassion and 
support were to these displaced Americans.
  Students at the Bertschi School in Seattle, WA, read about my trip 
and the positive impact the letters had on the hurricane victims and 
they wrote to me, asking if they could also send letters to families 
during my next visit with hurricane evacuees. While I was not able to 
return to Houston with their letters, I did have the pleasure of 
reading over their beautiful and inspirational words and art work 
before the letters made their way to Texas Children's Hospital, where 
some of the youngest hurricane victims were relocated.
  It is among the greatest honors as a Member of the House of 
Representatives that I have an opportunity to meet and work with young 
people who are involved in their communities and who are deeply 
committed to making our country and our world a better place. Our 
future depends on these young people, who are capable of reaching out 
and showing support for their fellow citizens.
  Though the students of Bertschi School are only in their elementary 
years, they already have a deep sense of civic pride and connectedness 
to the greater world and feel they have something to offer, even if it 
is, as in this case, sharing words of encouragement and compassion.
  I commend the students and staff of Bertschi School for their efforts 
and wish them continued success in the years ahead.

                          ____________________