[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1643-E1644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       TRIBUTE TO WALTER REEMSTMA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2008

  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the retirement of Mr. 
Walter Reemstma, a science teacher with Algona Community School 
District in Algona, Iowa, and to express my appreciation for his 
dedication and commitment to the youth of Iowa.
  For the past 41 years, Mr. Reemstma has contributed his time and 
talents to educating

[[Page E1644]]

and enriching the lives of youths. Mr. Reemstma graduated from Sioux 
Falls College in 1967 and took his first job at Melcher-Dallas. In 1970 
he took a science teaching position at O.B. Laing Middle School in 
Algona, where he remained until his retirement. He actually hated 
science classes while growing up but began to enjoy science during his 
senior year high school biology class. During his time as a teacher, he 
especially enjoyed taking Washington, DC, trips with students. In 
addition to teaching, Mr. Reemstma is the music director at First 
Presbyterian Church in Algona and the president of the Water's Edge 
Nature Center Foundation. In all, Mr. Reemstma has helped shape the 
lives of thousands of students.
  Mr. Reemstma's leadership will be missed, but he leaves a lasting 
impact on the Algona community and everyone he has been involved with. 
I consider it an honor to represent Mr. Walter Reemstma in the United 
States Congress, and I wish him a long, happy and healthy retirement.

                          ____________________