[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 5, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E757]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         RECOGNIZING MIKE TOWN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 2010

  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, many in this House do our part in 
promoting sustainable living, sustainable building and environmental 
responsibility. In my District--the 8th of Washington--an environmental 
science teacher is doing a masterful job at teaching the same values, 
and more--and he has received much deserved recognition for his 
efforts.
  Redmond High School teacher Mike Town was awarded the inaugural 
$25,000 Green Prize in Environmental Education from the NEA Foundation 
on April 19. Mr. Town's curriculum, ``Cool School Challenge,'' teaches 
students how to perform energy audits of their school buildings and 
reduce their carbon footprint by doing simple things like powering down 
computers at night, composting, and recycling. Mr. Town's award comes 
after leading the entire school toward being one of the ``greenest'' 
schools in America. He has inspired his students and the rest of the 
student-body to ``think globally and act locally'' to beautify our 
schools, our neighborhoods, and our environment. Mr. Town--or simply 
`Town' to his students--is an innovative and dynamic high school 
teacher who is making a positive impact on every student who walks 
through the doors of Redmond High.
  One of his former students and my former staffer, Marshall Reffett, 
described Mr. Town as an educator this way: ``Through his genuine 
enthusiasm for the subject, depth of knowledge, and hands on teaching 
methods, I developed a real sense for how the policies we adopt can 
have a profound effect on the sustainability of the Earth.''
  Aside from his teaching work, Mr. Town is a policy advocate for 
sustainability and the preservation of public lands. He is a vocal 
wilderness advocate--and worked closely with my office helping to 
create my Alpine Lakes Wilderness Proposal--a citizen lobbyist, and 
eloquent speaker on behalf of environmental protection. The man 
practices what he preaches and is a great example for his students and 
his community.
  What a delight it is for me to highlight the work of one of America's 
great professional educators. I'm pleased Mr. Town's efforts are not 
going unnoticed. His enthusiasm in the classroom and his tireless 
advocacy combine to make him a one-of-a-kind educator.

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