[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 124 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN RECOGNITION OF DEANNA ABLESER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 2006

  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, very few people in our society possess the 
power to change a child's life the way a teacher can. The values, 
ethics, work habits and ambition they instill in our youth serve as 
life lessons that translate into action for the rest of their lives.
  That is why I rise today to honor one of my constituents, Deanna 
Ableser of Torrance, California, who has been awarded the VSA Arts 
Playwright Discovery Teacher Award. This award is presented annually to 
educators who creatively bring disability awareness to the classroom 
through the art of playwriting.
  Deanna Ableser teaches six drama courses at Dana Middle School in 
Hawthorne, California. A significant portion of her curriculum is 
dedicated to playwriting. She encourages her students to write about 
characters with physical or mental disabilities in hopes of expanding 
empathy, understanding, compassion and tolerance. Her intermediate 
playwriting course is dedicated exclusively to the VSA Arts Project.
  It is testament to Ms. Ableser's effectiveness as a teacher that her 
students have won numerous awards for their accomplishments in acting, 
playwriting and technical theatre.
  On behalf of my constituents and the students and families at Dana 
Middle School, I extend our congratulations to a wonderful educator and 
role model, Deanna Ableser, and best wishes for this school year.
  Break a leg!

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