[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5164]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



    RECOGNITION OF MR. DARVIN ECKLUND, FOUNDER OF THE CEDAR HEIGHTS 
                ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES LEARNING CENTER

 Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, in a continuing effort to recognize 
excellence in education I would like to award Darvin Ecklund of the 
Cedar Heights Environmental Resources Learning Center in Port Orchard, 
Washington with an `Innovation in Education' Award. Two years ago, Mr. 
Ecklund, a Natural Resources teacher at Cedar Heights Junior High, 
created an after school center that focuses on environmental activities 
and teaches students the importance of rehabilitating our local natural 
resources. I think Mr. Ecklund's concept is a remarkable after school 
option for junior high students as an alternative, safe environment 
where they can learn and have fun at the same time.
  The focus of the Cedar Heights Environmental Resources Learning 
Center aims to stimulate kids toward saving the environment around 
them. Recently, the Center renovated local ponds and developed plant 
life to be used in future rehabilitation projects. Children learn to 
identify common and scientific names of plants and wildlife. To date, 
over six hundred salmon have been raised in this Center! This is a 
truly remarkable way to integrate science into children's lives with a 
hands on approach.
  We all know that we live in a busy world where sometimes kids end up 
waiting for their parents to return from work. I cannot think of a 
better way to see kids spend a few hours after-school, as well as 
getting parents involved in their children's after-school activities. 
Currently, there are over one hundred kids participating in this 
program. High school students are also part of Mr. Ecklund's staff and 
help organize activities and provide assistance as well.
  Mr. Ecklund has also found a way for kids at the Cedar Heights 
Environmental Resources Learning Center to develop a relationship with 
the retirement community across the street. The Center offers retirees 
an educational as well as relaxing place to come and share time with 
the students. The Center has made the paths around the Environmental 
Center wheel-chair accessible. After hearing this, I was encouraged 
that this community has found a way to connect young people not only to 
the environment, but to their elders. I applaud Mr. Ecklund for 
creating such an innovative program that connects older and younger 
students to helping the environment and spending time with seniors.
  Ms. Pat Green, Principal of Cedar Heights Junior High, said the 
following about Mr. Ecklund: ``He is passionate about the environment 
and teaching kids how to raise fish as a sustainable resource. The kids 
are learning hands-on science in action!"
  Mr. Pat Oster, Assistant Principal of Cedar Heights Junior High 
commends Mr. Ecklund's efforts, describing him as, ``a very caring and 
energetic person who devotes generous time to the many students he 
interacts with on a daily basis.''
  I have been a long supporter of preserving the environment. I am 
impressed by the originality of this program and hope other after-
school centers will follow in the footsteps of the Cedar Heights 
Environmental Resources Learning Center. This is truly science in 
action!




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