[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 144 (Thursday, September 11, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1764-E1765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING ADAM SHERMAN RECIPIENT OF THE NATIONAL HISTORY DAY KEN 
                   COSKEY NAVAL HISTORY SPECIAL PRIZE

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                         HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 11, 2008

  Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Adam 
Sherman of Scottsdale, Arizona, for his honored participation in this 
year's National History Day program. Adam, a student at Desert Mountain 
High School in Scottsdale, received the Ken Coskey Naval History 
Special Prize for the best naval history project in the Nation. In 
addition, Adam was chosen as one of only 12

[[Page E1765]]

students from over 2,300 to present his exhibit at the White House 
Visitor Center in June of this year.
  The National History Day program is a contest that engages teachers 
and students from across the Nation to explore unconventional methods 
in learning about history. Its focus is to move beyond the traditional 
textbook and expand into resources such as libraries, museums, and 
archives. This year's theme was ``Conflict and Compromise in History.''
  Adam's project--``Prelude to Pearl Harbor: The Panay Conflict and 
President Roosevelt's Compromise''--examined the scope of a little-
known Japanese attack on an American gunboat years prior to Pearl 
Harbor and our nation's entry into World War II. In December of 1937, 
Japanese warplanes attacked the USS Panay as it evacuated American 
refugees ahead of the Japanese takeover of Nanking, China. The attack 
wounded several civilians and sailors on board, including Mr. Fon 
Huffman, USN Retired. Adam included a taped interview with Mr. Huffman, 
the only living survivor of the attack. Huffman tells of the chaotic 
attack and moments of heroism when, in the midst of the chaos, he gave 
his life preserver to a civilian who could not swim and helped others 
to safety.
  Adam has shown his passion for history by participating in the 
program for the past three years, over the course of which his work has 
been awarded a number of honors including 1st place at the Arizona 
State Finals for Best Individual Exhibit in 2006. A true student of 
history, Adam has donated his 2008 exhibit to the Naval Historical 
Foundation.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Adam Sherman's 
accomplishments.

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