[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 51 (Wednesday, May 3, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E698-E699]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CONGRATULATING DEBRA LAS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GIL GUTKNECHT

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 2006

  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Debra 
Las of Rochester, 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.
  Ms. Debra Las teaches eighth grade science at John Adams Middle 
School in Rochester, Minnesota where she utilizes the school's 
diversity to connect to her students. Viewing diversity as a strength 
rather than a weakness, Ms. Las believes that both staff and students 
alike need to spend the time and

[[Page E699]]

the energy to learn about each other. For this commitment to her 
profession and to her students, Ms. Las 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 Ms. Debra Las for receiving 
the 2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science 
Teaching. Quality science teachers, like Ms. Las, inspire our students' 
inquisitive nature to explore new challenges, innovative career paths, 
and the future of ideas. Her steadfast professionalism and abilities in 
the classroom are a standard for which all educators should aim.

                          ____________________