[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7324]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING GRACEMOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND ``OPERATION BUBBLE GUM 
                               BUDDIES''

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM GRAVES

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 20, 2005

  Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize the students at 
Gracemor Elementary School's S.A.G.E. program. S.A.G.E. is the acronym 
for Students in Academically Gifted Education, and the S.A.G.E. 
students at Gracemor have been participating in a great program to 
support our troops called ``Operation Bubble Gum Buddies.''
  The S.A.G.E. students at Gracemor have been supporting our brave 
soldiers and their important mission by collecting bubble gum and other 
items to send to our troops currently serving in Iraq. Our brave 
soldiers will not only enjoy these gifts themselves, but they will also 
share the bubble gum with the children of Iraq. This small, selfless 
gesture spreads goodwill and establishes an important bond between the 
future leaders of America--like the students at Gracemor--and the 
future leaders of a free and democratic Iraq.
  It was also an inspiration to learn that each student in the program 
included a personal note along with the bubble gum in each individual 
care package. I know that the soldiers greatly appreciate hearing from 
the students, and I would encourage the students to continue with this 
important task; it is a true testament to the patriotic spirit of the 
American people.
  Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in thanking the students of 
Gracemor Elementary who have been participating in ``Operation Bubble 
Gum Buddies.'' Their dedication to our troops and the children of Iraq 
are a credit to our Nation, and I am proud to represent them in the 
United States Congress.

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