[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 44 (Friday, April 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  A TRIBUTE TO JEFF STEINBERG ON HIS RECEIPT OF THE THOMAS JEFFERSON 
               AWARD FOR HIS WORK ON SOJOURNS TO THE PAST

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                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 6, 2006

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Jeff 
Steinberg, who was recently awarded the Thomas Jefferson Award for 
creating Sojourns to the Past. Mr. Steinberg is a resident of Millbrae, 
California, which is in my Congressional District.
  Mr. Steinberg has lived and worked around the Bay Area his entire 
life. He began his community involvement as a history teacher at 
Capuchino High School in San Bruno, California and has worked to make 
our community a better place for over a decade as an educator. In 1999, 
Jeff created the Sojourns to the Past as an educational tool to teach 
high school students about American history in the South and to promote 
tolerance and human rights. Since its inception, over 3000 students 
have participated.
  Sojourns to the Past promotes a living history of the Civil Rights 
movement. The curriculum contains books, documentaries, audio 
recordings, and on-site experiences. Veterans of the movement, like my 
friend and colleague Congressman John Lewis, meet with the students to 
teach lessons of tolerance, nonviolence and personal courage. The 
students visit eight cities in the South, starting with Atlanta and 
ending in Memphis. They tour landmarks of the Civil Rights era and can 
see firsthand the destructive effects of racism, sexism, homophobia and 
other forms of discrimination.
  Mr. Speaker, Sojourns to the Past has inspired thousands of students. 
When they return from their trip the students have a better 
understanding of American history and the struggle for civil rights. I 
have received hundreds of letters from students who share their 
experience with me and I know that these students return from the trip 
with a unique appreciation for the struggle faced by the pioneers of 
the civil rights movement.
  Mr. Speaker, Sojourns to the Past is a truly stimulating program and 
Jeff Steinberg is an extraordinary person who has worked tirelessly for 
his students and our community. Students who participate in this 
program become more engaged civically and are more likely to vote. I 
urge all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating him on this 
wonderful recognition.

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