[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 51 (Wednesday, May 3, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CONGRATULATING STEVEN BENSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GIL GUTKNECHT

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 2006

  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Steven 
Benson of Owatonna, Minnesota on receiving the 2005 Presidential Award 
for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
  This award was established in 1983 by an Act of Congress and is 
administered for the White House by the National Science Foundation. 
The award recognizes teachers who are both role models for colleagues 
and encourage talented individuals to become and remain teachers. 
Outstanding math and science educators are nominated each year from the 
United States and four other jurisdictions. Teachers may be nominated 
by faculty, students, parents or members of the community. After 
advancing through an intense selection process at both state and 
national levels, the final winners are announced by the President of 
the United States.
  Mr. Steven Benson has proven himself as a dedicated and outstanding 
educator. Mr. Benson believes in making his math classes more relevant 
to everyday life to generate greater interest in his students and 
encourage their success. By creating a personal connection to the 
content, Mr. Benson shows students how math significantly affects and 
influences their hobbies, activities, and future plans. For this 
commitment to his profession and to his students, Mr. Benson will 
receive The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and 
Science Teaching--the highest honor a teacher of mathematics or science 
can receive.
  I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr. Steven Benson for 
receiving the 2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and 
Science Teaching. Quality math teachers, like Mr. Benson, inspire our 
students' inquisitive nature to explore new challenges, innovative 
career paths, and the future of ideas. His steadfast professionalism 
and abilities in the classroom are a standard for which all educators 
should aim.

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