[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12987]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                THE CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER OF ALASKA

 Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise to offer my 
congratulations to the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska, its Board 
of Directors, and staffers, on their Official Launch Ceremony on July 
7, 2000.
  The Challenger Learning Center of Alaska will be part of the national 
network of 50 Learning Centers operating in the United States, Canada, 
and England established in memory of the 1986 Challenger Space Shuttle 
crew. Located in Kenai, Alaska, the Challenger Learning Center of 
Alaska simulates space missions to give students the opportunity to 
explore the endless possibilities available in science and technology 
fields.
  Mr. President, currently 40 percent of America's 4th graders read 
below the basic level on national reading tests. On international 
tests, the nation's twelfth graders rank last in Advanced Physics 
compared with students in 18 other countries. And one-third of all 
incoming college freshmen must enroll in a remedial reading, writing, 
or mathematics class before taking regular courses. If we are going to 
turn these dismal statistics around this country needs an innovative 
approach to teaching. The Challenger Learning Center of Alaska is 
working towards ensuring that our elementary and secondary students of 
today are the best-educated and motivated college graduates of 
tomorrow.
  The Challenger Learning Center programs will not only create an 
environment conductive to pursuing the sciences, they will also assist 
students in developing skills vital to every field. In the Alaska 
workplace of the 21st century, survival will depend on teamwork, 
problem solving, communication and decision-making. Like no other 
educational program, the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska will help 
all of Alaska's students develop these critical skills while providing 
the solid educational content that promotes science literacy.
  Mr. President, educators continue to site education as the number one 
determinate in an individual's success. I believe that the Challenger 
Learning Center of Alaska will profoundly affect the future of Alaska. 
I commend the Challenger Learning Center staff, Board of Directors, 
NASA and statewide communities for their tireless efforts and 
dedication to our young Alaskans.

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