[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15804]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   CONGRATULATIONS FOR REBEKAH FRESE

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today I would like to recognize the 
accomplishment of a particularly talented student from my home State of 
Iowa. Rebekah Frese has been chosen to present her National History Day 
documentary, ``Boarding the Freedom Train: The Underground Railroad in 
Iowa,'' at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. I congratulate her on 
this achievement and commend her for her hard work and determination in 
creating such a wonderful project.
  Rebekah's documentary highlights the significant role Iowa and Iowans 
played in the effort to ensure the safety of escaped slaves prior to 
the American Civil War. She is a student at the Lenihan Intermediate 
School in Melbourne, IA and was selected as one of 22 presenters out of 
2000 finalists that attended the National History Day national contest 
at the University of Maryland June 10 to 14.
  In Iowa, we take great pride in our educational system, and it is 
personally rewarding when one of our students sets themselves apart at 
the national level. Programs such as National History Day give students 
opportunities to succeed through hard work and determination, 
encouraging what is at the heart of the American spirit. I appreciate 
National History Day and its commitment to improving the teaching and 
learning of American history in our schools.
  I would also like to take this opportunity to make special mention of 
teachers Millie Frese and Karen Roessler, who offered their assistance 
and encouragement to Rebekah while undertaking this difficult project. 
Quality teachers like these motivate and inspire students to push 
themselves to realize their potential. By helping to shape citizens and 
future leaders, teachers like Millie Frese and Karen Roessler are 
indispensable parts of our democracy. Once again, congratulations, 
Rebekah, for your first-class work bringing greater awareness to Iowa's 
role in the Underground Railroad.

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