[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9134]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING FILER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S PARTICIPANTS IN THE ``50 MILE BIG 
                                 WALK''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 10, 2005

  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dedicated 
group of Filer Elementary School students, teachers, parents and 
volunteers who will be participating in a fifty mile walk between the 
Malad Gorge State Park and Filer, Idaho.
  Each day this week, the fourth grade class of Filer Elementary School 
will walk 10 miles along the Snake River Canyon, following the same 
path crossed over 150 years ago by settlers migrating west on the 
Oregon trail. These students have been training for months for this big 
week where they will literally be taking school out on the road. By 
participating in a physical challenge that is attainable through goal 
setting, hard work and perseverance, these students redefine their 
personal potential far beyond what they once thought possible.
  While the students journey through Southern Idaho, they will learn 
about and identify the large melon shaped boulders along the Snake 
River Canyon that were formed 15,000 years ago. They will also learn 
about the hardships faced by the first settlers in whose footsteps they 
are following. Much like Lewis and Clark, every evening the students 
will record their impressions in a journal. These journals become a 
reflection of the transformation that takes place within these children 
during this memorable week.
  Over the past 10 years, more than 1,000 students, teachers, parents 
and volunteers have completed the ``50 Mile Big Walk'' The students 
come to understand that if you can walk 50 miles when you are in fourth 
grade, there isn't anything in life you can't do if you set a goal, 
work hard and help others along the way.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the 
``50 Mile Big Walk'' and commend them on their hard work and 
dedication. To the walkers, I want you to know that I will be thinking 
of you and wishing you well every step of the way. Thank you, Filer 
Elementary School for being an inspiration to us all.

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