[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 79 (Monday, May 13, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S2785]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO BECKY PELTONEN

 Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, today I recognize Becky Peltonen, 
the Bay County Teacher of the year from Deane Bozeman School in Panama 
City, Florida, FL.
  Becky received this award months after Hurricane Michael devastated 
Bay County, which caused several hurricane-related delays throughout 
the school district. She was honored and humbled to represent all who 
have worked to repair homes and begin rebuilding the Bay County 
community.
  Becky is an agriculture biotechnology teacher who has taught for 29 
years. She has teamed up with parents and the Florida Fish and Wildlife 
Conservation Commission to develop a scientific exploration of animal 
and plant ecosystems, which has allowed for students to construct their 
own freshwater habitats.
  Becky focuses on teaching students how to raise and grow their own 
food, which provides them meaningful tools and allows them to save 
money at the grocery. Becky takes pride when former students return to 
tell her that she better-equipped them to navigate life after their 
class together.
  I thank Becky for her hard work in educating students, especially 
while facing the aftermath of Hurricane Michael's life-changing 
effects. I wish her the very best in the years to come.

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