[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 53 (Friday, April 4, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E519-E520]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE CAREER OF MR. ROBERT ZERKLE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 4, 2008

  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing the distinguished career and extensive community 
involvement of Mr. Robert Zerkle of Mascoutah, Illinois.
  Bob served in the Mascoutah School District for 38 years, as a math 
teacher, business manager and assistant superintendent, before retiring 
in 2001.
  Even after his retirement from the Mascoutah School District, Bob has 
continued to be a staunch advocate of Impact Aid, the Federal program 
which provides assistance to

[[Page E520]]

local school districts that have been impacted by the presence of 
Federal property, such as the impact Scott Air Force Base has had on 
the Mascoutah School District in the congressional district I 
represent. He has received several awards commending his efforts, 
including the 2008 Friends of the National Association of Federally 
Impact Schools Award and the Globe Award recognizing his career working 
on behalf of Impact Aid.
  Madam Speaker, as the Representative for Scott Air Force Base, I have 
witnessed first hand how important the Impact Aid program is to our 
region and our students. Not only does it provide school districts such 
as Mascoutah with essential funding otherwise unavailable, it assures 
the men and women of our fighting forces that their children will 
receive a great education while they are keeping America safe and 
secure.
  The tireless efforts of individuals like Bob Zerkle are an example of 
how one individual's dedication to a cause can have a lifetime effect 
on a community. Bob's wealth of experience and overwhelming devotion 
will no doubt be missed among his colleagues and his students.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in an expression of 
appreciation to Bob Zerkle for his years of dedicated service in 
support of Impact Aid and the students of the Mascoutah School 
District. I wish Bob the very best in the future.

                          ____________________