[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 122 (Thursday, July 24, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7277-S7278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JUDY GORMAN

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I wish to offer my heartfelt 
congratulations to a South Dakotan who has been very committed to the 
educational well-being of the young people in my State.
  For the past 6 years, Judy Gorman has served as executive director of 
the Department of Defense program, STARBASE. Exclusively designed for 
young adults, STARBASE provides science, math, technology and 
engineering skills through hands-on experience in aviation and space-
related fields. She has served as an effective liaison with schools, 
military, community, and business leaders and has worked tirelessly to 
develop a superb curriculum in the community of the Black Hills.
  In early August, Judy will retire from the program she has worked so 
hard to promote and foster. While executive director she has overseen 
191 STARBASE classes of over 4,800 students, 2 manufacturing classes of 
35 students, and 5 ``Feel the Power'' graduate classes. Her dedication 
to the STARBASE program was grounded in a 23-year career as an 
elementary counselor, special educator, and fourth grade teacher in the 
Rapid City Area Schools and Meade School District. She also has served 
as the administrator for Project Achieve, a summer youth program for 
at-risk teens in the Rapid City area. For many years she supported and 
guided her husband, Mike Gorman, in his excellent leadership as the 
Adjutant General of the South Dakota National Guard.
  I commend Judy for her years of great stewardship with the STARBASE 
program. I had the privilege of touring the facilities a few years ago, 
witnessing first-hand the importance of the program and commitment Judy 
brings to her students. There are few better rewards for an educator 
than witnessing countless students expanding their horizons, applying 
science, math, and engineering in aviation and space-related fields of 
study. You may expect this from high school, college,

[[Page S7278]]

or graduate students, but Judy has been able to ``plant the seeds of 
learning'' in the minds of fourth graders. Those seeds will undoubtedly 
result in a bright future as these youngsters grow up to pursue their 
dreams and goals. Many will look fondly to Judy's great guidance and 
tutorship.
  On the occasion of her retirement, I want to wish Judy all the best. 
I want to thank her for her tireless work and dedication to the 
STARBASE program and her commitment to the youth of South Dakota. The 
legacy of her work will rest in the minds of these young people, for 
which I thank her for her service on behalf of all South Dakotans, and 
wish her well in her retirement.

                          ____________________