[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 162 (Tuesday, October 3, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E928]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING MATTHEW LANDERS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MARILYN STRICKLAND

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 3, 2023

  Ms. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Matthew 
Landers, an elementary school educator at Pleasant Glade Elementary 
School in Lacey, Washington who empowers his students to be everyday 
stewards of our environment.
  In response to his students' requests to have more of a hands-on role 
in confronting our climate crisis, Matthew established several programs 
to encourage composting and recycling on campus. Thanks to Matthew's 
programs, over 35,000 pounds of food waste have been saved from 
landfills and over 1,500 pounds of food have been redistributed. 
Matthew also spearheaded the school's switch from plastic to 
biodegradable utensils, signaling to students that seemingly small but 
practical changes can be high-impact solutions. To amplify student 
activists' voices, Matthew also helped his students present their ideas 
to supplement ongoing on-campus conversation efforts to the school 
board.
  I'm inspired by Matthew's initiative to ground his students' 
awareness of environmental issues in actionable avenues for change, and 
I'm proud to spotlight him and all of the students of Pleasant Glade 
who have made Lacey cleaner, greener, and better.

                          ____________________