[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 46 (Thursday, March 16, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF GARY SCHNIEDERS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ROD BLUM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 16, 2017

  Mr. BLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable teacher and 
citizen from Waterloo, Iowa. Mr. Gary Schnieders has taught History, 
Social Studies, and Economics at Waterloo Columbus Catholic High School 
for 39 years. Over those 39 years, Mr. Schnieders has made an enormous 
impact on the lives of his students and members of the community.
  Mr. Schnieders's devotion goes beyond the classroom with his annual 
trip to the hallowed ground of Europe's battlefields. This trip is no 
European vacation. Students walk the trenches of the Western Front and 
explore battlefields with a twelve-mile hike one day and twenty-mile 
bike ride another day. Prior to their departure, students are given 
reading assignments and must complete a 20-page essay. While in Europe, 
the students have nightly homework assignments. This annual trip is 
highly anticipated and one that many Waterloo Columbus students work 
toward their entire high school career.
  The itinerary also includes visits to several American cemeteries and 
memorials honoring our fallen heroes, and a wreath-laying ceremony at 
the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery. On the final day, the students 
visit the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial where they clean the 
grave markers, plant an American flag, and lay a rose on the grave of 
every Iowan. At the end of the day, students lay their final wreath of 
the trip at Normandy as Taps sounds in the background.
  Upon their return to Iowa, the students give presentations to their 
families, fellow students, and residents of Waterloo and Cedar Falls, 
with a special invitation extended to the local Veteran community.
  Over the past 39 years, Mr. Schnieders has shown his students what 
cannot be taught in a classroom--the meaning of sacrifice and love of 
country. Today, we honor his devotion that extends far beyond the 
classroom and helps to ensure the preservation of American values for 
generations to come.

                          ____________________