[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14232]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING EXEMPLARY EDUCATOR KATHY PUTMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 24, 2004

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kathy Putman, an 
exemplary educator, who is retiring after forty years in the classroom 
at John F. Kennedy High School in Fremont, California. Immediately 
after graduating from San Jose State University, Kathy's career in 
education began at Kennedy High School.
  She was among the first instructors when the new high school was 
opened in 1965. Teaching Government and Economics to high school 
seniors at Kennedy High School is the only job Kathy has ever had. She 
was only a couple of years older than her first students. Over the 
decades, she has taught many children of former students in her class.
  For years Kennedy High School had a contest for ``Most Popular 
Teacher.'' Kathy won so often the contest was discontinued. Each year 
her yearbook is filled with the penned thoughts of adoring students. 
Thousands of young Fremont students have passed through her classroom 
where the walls are covered with photographs and notes from former 
students. Assuming Kathy had 200-300 students a year, for 40 years, 
this adds up to between 8,000-12,000 students she has touched during 
her career.
  I, along with former Congressman Don Edwards, California Attorney 
General Bill Lockyer and a host of political and civic leaders have 
been privileged to speak to students in Kathy's government classes. She 
was a true believer in exposing her students to firsthand experiences 
in government. She encouraged student involvement and referred her 
students to my office for internships.
  I have never met a more experienced, committed or enthusiastic 
teacher. Kathy is a model for all educators to follow. I commend her on 
her 40 years of outstanding service. Kathy has left an indelible mark 
on her students and the community of Fremont and her contributions will 
be long remembered and felt with utmost respect.

                          ____________________