[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 12, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E11-E12]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE 2009 CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION'S ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATORS 
                              OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 12, 2010

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor three 
principals from public schools in my district: Ms. Debra Lane of 
Rolling Valley Elementary School; Mr. Sal Rivera of Flint Hill 
Elementary; and Mr. Dwayne Young of Centreville Elementary School. 
These principals have shown a remarkable commitment to environmental 
education, actively incorporating it into their own curricula and 
seeking to promote it across Fairfax County. All three have increased 
outdoor learning opportunities for students and teachers in their 
schools and were instrumental in establishing a teacher professional 
development program focusing on the Chesapeake Bay for Fairfax 
principals and teachers.
  They are helping to teach children new ways to engage academically 
and behaviorally, while fostering a stronger sense of community and 
connectedness to their surroundings. Through their efforts they have 
increased environmental awareness and promoted stewardship in younger 
generations, benefiting the Chesapeake Bay by educating about the 
dangerous effects of pollution.
  The Chesapeake Bay Foundation recognized their dedication by naming 
them 2009 Environmental Educators of the Year. This annual award, 
dating back more than a decade, recognizes individuals in the field of 
education within the Chesapeake Bay watershed who have contributed 
significantly to our understanding of the Bay ecosystem through an 
academic program.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of myself and my constituents, I ask that my 
colleagues join me in congratulating Ms. Lane, Mr. Rivera, and Mr. 
Young for this recognition and thanking them for their service.

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