[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 21471]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING OAK HARBOR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND NAS WHIDBEY

  (Mr. LARSEN of Washington asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
appreciation for the outstanding work for the Oak Harbor School 
District and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, both of which are in my 
district.
  Currently, NAS Whidbey has five squadrons and one logistical unit 
deployed, roughly 1,000 servicewomen and -men, many who have children 
in the Oak Harbor School District.
  This week representatives from the Oak Harbor School District visited 
my office to discuss how deployment impacts schools and students. Last 
year almost 60 percent of their students were children of active Navy 
personnel, 70 percent of which had at least one parent deployed 
overseas.
  Teachers, counselors, and staff have taken on the additional task of 
helping those dealing with the incredible stress of having a loved one 
deployed.
  NAS Whidbey has partnered with the Oak Harbor School District in this 
endeavor. Through ongoing communication, training for school staff and 
tutoring, they have contributed thousands of volunteer hours to work 
with the Oak Harbor School District to ease the burden placed on these 
families.
  Military families are making honorable sacrifices for our Nation and 
deserve our heartfelt thanks and support. We must also thank the 
individuals like those at the Oak Harbor School District at NAS Whidbey 
who are doing their part to help families through this challenging 
time.

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