[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 125 (Wednesday, August 1, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S10601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DELORES TOLLEFSON

 Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, most of us look back on our high 
school years as a wonderful time of learning, growing and maturing.
  And also, most of us remember fondly one special teacher that gave us 
a nudge or an encouraging pat on the back or maybe even some discipline 
at the right moment.
  For me, that teacher was Delores Tollefson. She was a big presence in 
a small school. She was the English teacher who virtually did it all in 
my small school of 40 students in all four high school grades. She put 
on all the class plays; she helped run the school newspaper and 
spearheaded the school annual; and she taught speech and English, and 
much more.
  But most important to me was that she had the patience to see 
potential in her students. At just the right time she would offer 
either encouragement or disapproval and say, ``You can do that, you've 
got a lot of talent,'' or ``You're better than that. Come on--get busy 
and work up to your potential,'' or ``Great job!''
  Most of us who were fortunate enough to have a teacher that saw 
potential and pushed us to reach it seldom took the time to say thank 
you.
  This year marks the 90th birthday of Delores Tollefson and I want to 
pay tribute to a wonderful teacher who affected my life in a very 
positive way. It is time to say a very special ``Thank you.''
  Happy Birthday, Delores Tollefson! And thank you for dedicating your 
life to teaching young people. It made a big difference in the life of 
this former student.

                          ____________________