[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 18648-18649]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO ANDY SWAPP

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, this past August I had the opportunity to 
visit Beaver County, Utah, where I met an educator who is working 
tirelessly to prepare our Nation's youth for success in our 
transformative economy. This rural area of southwest Utah is home to my 
State's major energy initiatives, including the largest wind farm in 
Utah.
  In 2001 a local shop teacher, Andy Swapp, observed that Milford, UT 
could capitalize on the powerful winds in the area. Inspiring his 
students to learn about renewable energy, the class applied to Utah's 
anemometer loan program to erect a 20 meter meteorological tower. As 
the students collected and analyzed the wind data, they attracted the 
attention of a wind prospector named Curtis Whittaker. Mr. Whittaker 
was impressed with the preliminary data but more so with the 
dedication, enthusiasm and accomplishments of eighth grade students. He 
sent a 50 meter tower to Milford High School for Mr. Swapp and students 
to construct in the wind-swept desert. Mr. Swapp used the real world 
project to teach students about wind turbines and power outputs, 
inspiring students to apply their classroom lessons to developing 
solutions for affordable, abundant energy. As the commercial wind farm 
developed, Mr. Swapp's classes were continually relied upon for data 
collection while receiving training in wind farm maintenance 
operations. Over the last decade, Mr. Swapp's students participated in 
all phases of completing Utah's largest commercial wind farm.
  Mr. Swapp's dedication to fostering student learning and success is 
not limited to wind power. His classes at Milford High School won a 
Rocky Mountain Power ``Bluesky'' grant to install a 10 kilowatt array 
of solar panels on a dual axis tracker on the front lawn of the school, 
and a roof top mounted solar array. The students were allowed to work 
with the contractor, helping install the $125,000 system. The students 
are now monitoring the energy production to compare the dual axis 
tracker with the standard technology. His classes also participate in 
national electric race car construction contests.
  To broaden the education of his students, Mr. Swapp organized the 
Milford Renewable Energy Fair. With support from South West Applied 
Technology College, the fair has grown to include secondary schools 
from all over the State and major vendors in the industry. Milford High 
School is also home to the Southwest Renewable Energy Center, which Mr. 
Swapp helped devise to promote the energy-rich area of Beaver County 
and Southwest Utah. It is a collaboration of secondary schools, 
technical colleges, 4-year universities, State-wide economic 
advancement districts, research and development partnerships and 
technology commercialization firms. This center connects students to 
jobs, internships, and scholarships.
  Mr. Swapp is an outstanding example of educators bringing learning to 
life and helping students envision a sustainable future. Mr. Swapp's 
students have enrolled in energy and engineering programs at Southern 
Utah University and Southwest Applied Technology College. They have 
secured high-skill, high paying jobs in their hometown. Their paths 
have been inspired by the curiosity, creativity and dedication of their 
teacher.

[[Page 18649]]

  Prior to becoming an educator, Mr. Swapp served our country as a 
career infantry Sergeant in the U.S. Army. Following his service, he 
returned to Utah to offer rural students the very best in education, to 
expand their horizons, and to foster a positive attitude for their 
future. Mr. Swapp has been an example to his students by completing an 
Associate of Science, AS, from Dixie State College, a Bachelor of 
Science from Southern Utah University, and a Master of Science from 
Utah State University.
  Mr. President, I was really impressed with what I experienced in 
meeting Andy. I wanted to highlight the important, innovative work of a 
successful educator engaged in leading our Nation into the future.

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