March 29, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 4265 cemented his status as one of the ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics knowledge, skills, and attitudes for greatest country-western entertainers in Salt Lake City, UT, that critics success throughout life. All of the fac- ever. He was truly a trailblazer whose called ‘‘spellbinding.’’ ulty, staff, and children at Piedmont trademark stinging electric guitar and This Grammy award was not School should be very proud of their rhythm sound revolutionized country Dianne’s first. Rather, it was her accomplishments. music. Buck’s 21 country singles from fourth in six nominations. Previously, I congratulate Piedmont Elementary 1963 to 1988 were a testament to his lon- she won the Best Jazz Vocal award 3 School in Duluth for winning the gevity and staying power. Buck’s years in a row, an unprecedented feat Award for Excellence in Education and music was universally celebrated and for an artist in any vocal category. She for its exceptional contributions to embraced, as evidence by the Beatles’ has joined with fellow jazz giants like education in Minnesota.∑ cover of his song, ‘‘Act Naturally’’ in Wynton Marsalis, recorded with the f 1965. The consummate entertainer, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, per- EVELETH-GILBERT PUBLIC Buck’s iconic television entertainment formed with the Berlin Philharmonic, SCHOOLS, ELEVETH AND GIL- show, ‘‘Hee Haw’’ enjoyed a remarkable and was the first vocalist to perform at BERT, MINNESOTA 25 year run on the airwaves. the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los I was delighted to have met Buck Angeles. ∑ Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I rise back in 1997 at his Crystal Palace in Dianne has been recognized around today to honor the Eveleth-Gilbert Bakersfield. He was kind and generous the world for her outstanding artistic Public Schools, in Eveleth, MN, and of spirit, as when I was invited to accomplishments and contributions, Gilbert, MN, which recently earned an present one of his special red, white, and we in Colorado are proud that she Award for Excellence in Education for and blue guitars to a promising music still calls our State ‘‘home.’’∑ exceptional and innovative achieve- student named William Villatoro. I f ments in educating children. still vividly remember how the young The Eveleth-Gilbert Public School PIEDMONT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, man was deeply moved and inspired by District is truly a model of educational DULUTH, MINNESOTA his generous gesture. I will certainly success. About 10 years ago, the dis- remember Buck Owens as a man of ∑ Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I rise trict initiated an accelerated reader great compassion who possessed a pro- today to honor Piedmont Elementary program to teach literacy skills and an found love for his country. Although he School, in Duluth, MN, which recently appreciation for reading at all grade is no longer with us, I take great com- earned an Award for Excellence in Edu- levels. Originally, this unique reading fort in knowing that Buck Owens was cation for its exceptional and innova- program was established for the Dis- not only able to be a shining light in tive achievements in educating chil- trict’s 10th-grade students and is now the life of a young man from Bakers- dren. used in grades 2 through 12. field, but also to the millions of others Piedmont School is truly a model of The accelerated reader program who admired his musical gifts and were educational success. The school has 220 takes a fun and exciting approach to touched by his humanity. pupils in kindergarten through grade 5 promoting reading, both at school and Buck Owens has left behind a legacy and provides school readiness services at home. The students read books and of artistry and boundless love for his for 30 preschool children. take a 10-question, computer-assisted adopted hometown of Bakersfield and One program unique to Piedmont El- assessment to score their comprehen- California’s Central Valley. He will be ementary is its reverse-mainstreaming sion, earning accelerated reader points dearly missed. program, which makes it possible for for every assessment they pass. The Buck Owens is survived by his three kindergarteners to spend time in a spe- students love to track their own sons, Buddy Alan, Michael, and John- cial education classroom for kinder- progress, and teachers often involve ny.∑ garten children with special needs. The the class in setting goals for accruing f experience helps these children to accelerated reader points. Students re- interact better with one another and to ceive instant feedback and gain in- HONORING JAZZ LEGEND AND appreciate the challenges that some creased motivation to read more books. COLORADAN DIANNE REEVES children must meet every day. As students test themselves on more ∑ Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, I rise The school prides itself on its efforts books, the accelerated reader system to call attention to one of the world’s to ensure that everyone will feel valued enables close monitoring of general most recognized jazz vocalists who also at Piedmont and that everyone—pu- levels or reading performance and happens to call Denver home—Dianne pils, staff, parents, grandparents, and other diagnostic information. Reeves. visitors—will know that they are al- The success of the accelerated reader Earlier this year, Dianne won a ways welcome. In keeping with this program is reflected in the students’ Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album, cordial theme, each child arriving at scores on the reading portion of the this time for her work on the sound- Piedmont for the first time receives Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment track of the Best Picture-nominee, the red-carpet treatment: A red carpet tests. Over the past 2 years, Franklin ‘‘Good Night, and Good Luck.’’ The of construction paper, which is signed Elementary and Nelle Shean Elemen- album is filled with standards like by all the children currently enrolled, tary, the district’s two elementary ‘‘Straighten Up and Fly Right,’’ and is laid down as part of the welcoming schools, and Eveleth-Gilbert Senior ‘‘Too Close for Comfort.’’ ceremony. High School, earned four- and five-star Dianne grew up in Denver where she Also along the lines of good citizen- status from the Minnesota Department was raised by her grandmother, taking ship, each month, a new character trait of Education for their test scores in piano lessons before discovering her is taught in the classrooms and at reading. love of singing. She got her start in the monthly assemblies, focusing on re- Much of the credit for the success of jazz band at Denver’s George Wash- spect, responsibility, compassion, citi- the Eveleth-Gilbert Public Schools be- ington High School when she was dis- zenship, fairness, and honesty. longs to the superintendent, Mike covered by trumpeter Clark Terry Much of the credit for Piedmont Lang; the building principals, Deborah while performing with the band at the School’s success belongs to its prin- Hildie, Jan Mesich, and Lyn Bol; and National Association of Jazz Educators cipal, Kris Teberg, and her dedicated all the district’s dedicated teachers. Conference in Chicago. She went on to teachers. The children and staff at The students and staff at the Eveleth- tour with Harry Belafonte while still in Piedmont School understand that, in Gilbert Public Schools understand her twenties before being signed to the order to be successful, a school must go that, in order to be successful, a dis- legendary Blue Note record label in beyond achieving academic success; it trict must go beyond achieving aca- 1987. Just 4 years ago, the world en- must also provide a nurturing environ- demic success; it must also provide a joyed her performance at the closing ment where students develop the nurturing environment where students

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