[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 17 (Monday, January 29, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO FIRST GRADE CLASS AT RACCOON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

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                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 29, 2007

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the first-grade 
students at Raccoon Elementary School in Centralia, Illinois. In just 2 
weeks, these young boys and girls raised $111 to buy care packages for 
local soldiers serving in the Middle East.
  With the guidance of their teachers, Wendy Bookhout and Amy Verble, 
the first-graders were the first participants in the Raccoon PRIDE 
program. This character building education plan challenges students to 
praise, encourage, and respect others as well as to get involved in 
their community, help others, and to do the right thing.
  The students donated the money they raised to Steve Smith's Second 
Soldier Christmas Drive. Mr. Smith then sent the care packages 
containing quilts, phone cards, bibles, cookies, and socks, as well as 
many other items for the holidays.
  I am pleased to congratulate the following Raccoon first-grade class 
for their hard work and dedication to helping others. God bless them 
for their service.
  Jimmy Dale Allison, Dillion Michael Adams, Abraham August Applegate, 
Jonathan Altom, Jeremy Joseph Cameron, Mara Kalyn Bookhout, McKenzie 
Christine Card, Timothy Tyler Donoho, Paige Danielle Gooden, Anna 
Draper, Abbie Elaine Harris, Alyssa Finley, Skylar Elizabeth Keele, 
Autumn Dawn George.
  Devon Michael Dwain Milburn, Cameron Tyler Hoard, Anastasia Marie 
Moistner, Kelsey Marie Littleton, Caleb Emmerson Michael Page, Valarie 
Marie Meadows, Shianne Alexis Smith, Shawn M. Morton, Molly Ann 
Thompson, Barbara Shiann Pauley, Justin Kyle Tindall, Rex Nicholas 
Rexilius, Katlyn Paige Whipple, Ryan Lloyd Tate, and Carter John 
Wilson.

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