[Page S4720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO DAWSON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND DEAN MYER

<bullet> Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, today I would like to recognize the 
students of Dawson County High School and Industrial Arts teacher Dean 
Myer. Thanks to their initiative and hard work, children and families 
in Dawson County will be able to create wonderful memories this summer 
at Penninger Park.
  Due to staffing issues and delays at the Public Works Office, 
brandnew playground equipment had been sitting dormant in a storage 
unit for over a year and a half. The students and their teacher, Mr. 
Myer, recognized the problem and proactively decided pull the equipment 
out and construct it for all to enjoy.
  Hands-on problem-solving is a wonderful Montana lesson, and I am 
proud to see our educators teaching the next generation practical 
skills in an innovative and community centered manner. With an 
eagerness to learn and help their community, they started work on the 
project in April and completed it before the end of the school year.
  The students in Mr. Myers' class took on nearly every aspect of this 
project from reading the blue prints and measuring the site to learning 
how to operate complicated equipment. I am so impressed with the 
proactive teaching of Mr. Myer. I truly believe that you remember a 
lesson a lot longer if it requires you to get a little dirt under your 
fingernails.
  Along with technical skills, the students learned an invaluable 
lesson on how to work together. Their teacher says, ``One thing the 
class really emphasizes is getting along with other workers.'' Thanks 
to their cooperation, Jack Rice, Glendive Public Works director, is now 
hoping to collaborate with Mr. Myers and future classes on upcoming 
community projects.
  Their camaraderie and hard work will leave a lasting impact on the 
community of Glendive. For years to come, this park will be a place 
where Montanans can come to run, climb, laugh, and enjoy the outdoors. 
In 20 years, I hope that those responsible for this park will return to 
take their children to play on the slides and jungle gym they helped 
build.
  Thank you to the students and Mr. Meyer. I look forward to hearing 
about the next innovative work you will do together to benefit 
Montanans in the future.<bullet>

                          ____________________