[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E502-E503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING MR. RICHARD ORNELLAS FOR HIS COMMITMENT TO THE CLOSE UP 
                   WASHINGTON CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAZIE K. HIRONO

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 16, 2011

  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Richard 
Ornellas, an outstanding

[[Page E503]]

history and special education teacher at Molokai High School in my 
district. Mr. Ornellas's students are in Washington this week for the 
Close Up Washington Civic Education Program. The Close Up Foundation is 
presenting Mr. Ornellas with an award for his dedication to the program 
over many years.
  I visited Molokai High School in 2008 for a discussion on teacher 
effectiveness. The group's participants shared their views that an 
effective teacher is one who is experienced, ``helps you understand,'' 
and ``makes it fun.'' Mr. Ornellas helped organize his Close Up 
students to raise funds for the trip by writing fundraising letters and 
selling plate lunches and food at the Molokai Hoe race. His students 
have even been blogging about their trip on the school website! For 
getting his students so excited to learn about our nation's history 
first-hand, I would definitely call Mr. Ornellas an effective teacher.
  Mr. Omellas is a strong supporter of this program, which gives 
students a first-hand experience with democracy in our nation's 
capital. Using the Close Up curriculum--tied to state history 
standards--Mr. Ornellas helps his students understand how our democracy 
works and inspires them to become more active in their school and 
community.
  Over 95 percent of the program's 500,000 participants have reported 
that the program helped them better understand their roles as citizens.
  I salute Mr. Ornellas for his dedication to providing a well-rounded 
civic education for his students. I am presenting him with a flag that 
flew over the U.S. Capitol in his honor.
  Congratulations to Mr. Ornellas and the many students he has helped 
influence over the years.

                          ____________________