Congratulating Andrew Wojtanik for winning the 16th Annual National Geographic Bee, acknowledging the commitment of the National Geographic Society to geography education, and recognizing the need to improve geography education in the United States.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of his proud neighbors in Kansas' Third Congressional District, and particularly on behalf of the students and teachers at Lakewood Middle School in Overland Park, Kansas, I am honored today to speak in favor of my resolution congratulating Andrew Wojtanik for winning the 16th Annual National Geographic Bee. I have been joined in this effort by Representatives Jim Ryun and Jerry Moran of Kansas, and by Representatives Major Owens, Earl Blumenauer, and Max Burns. This resolution is similar to H. Res. 804, which we introduced last week, and reintroduced on Monday due to some jurisdictional issues which prevented bringing the original resolution to the floor quickly.

On May 26, 2004, Andrew won the 16th Annual National Geographic Bee when he correctly answered a question about the Khyber Pass in Northern Pakistan.

While Andrew's comprehensive knowledge of geography is an inspiration to students everywhere, studies suggest that most of Andrew's peers would be unable to find Pakistan on a map, let alone be aware of the significance of the Khyber Pass. Only 13 percent of young adults in the United States between the ages of 18 and 24 can correctly identify Iraq on a map of Asia and the Middle East. Year after year, American students are consistently outperformed in geographic literacy by students in Sweden, Germany, Italy, France, Japan, Great Britain, and Canada.

The truth is that many students in the United States receive only a minimal amount of geography education during their educational careers. In 2001, Congress acknowledged the importance of including geography education in school curriculums when it designated geography as a ``core subject'' in the No Child Left Behind Act; yet, geography remains the only core subject identified in that act without a Federal program designed to improve educational performance.

Congress must honor its commitment to the children of the United States and address the need for improved geography education. As we have recognized in other areas of education, the only way to truly improve the educational system at a student-level is to help schools use the most effective teaching techniques to increase student knowledge and understanding. Geography education is no exception.

The National Geographic Society Alliance Program is an excellent example of current efforts to improve geography education at the state and local level. Alliances around the country provide teachers with intensive professional development opportunities in geography education, cultivating opportunities for teachers in State-level chapters to collaborate on geography education efforts and to participate in NGS professional development programs. And the success of the National Geographic Society Alliance Program is seen through the achievements of its students--students of teachers who have been involved in the Alliance program have statistically higher levels of geographic literacy achievement than other students. Promoting proven, effective teaching techniques, such as those developed through the National Geographic Society Alliance Program, will be essential if Congress is to successfully foster greater geographic literacy among American students.

If we are to continue our efforts to develop the most educated citizenry in the world, we must closely examine how we educate our youngest citizens about the world. This resolution acknowledges the good work of the National Geographic Society and its commitment to geographic literacy through a variety of means, including its sponsorship of the National Geographic Bee and the successful operation of its Alliance Program. This is a useful first step to refocusing attention on the need for geographic literacy and its important role in our children's education.

It is my hope that passage of this resolution will do more than just applaud Andrew Wojtanik's mastery of geography skills--this resolution will reaffirm Congress's commitment to geography and recognize a national public-private partnership dedicated to improving geographic literacy among American students. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join with me in supporting this resolution today.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 815) congratulating Andrew Wojtanik for winning the 16th Annual National Geographic Bee, conducted by the National Geographic Society.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 815.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 815 congratulates Andrew Wojtanik for winning the 16th Annual National Geographic Bee conducted by the National Geographic Society.

Mr. Speaker, this is a terrific and well-deserved honor for a terrific and deserving young man. I strongly support the resolution and urge all of my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moore), the author of this resolution, and I urge passage and congratulate Andrew Wojtanik.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, 14-year-old 8th grader Andrew Wojtanik from Lakewood Middle School in Overland Park, Kansas, took top honors at the 2004 National Geographic Bee, which was held here in Washington, D.C. in May.

Andrew should be an example for all young people because he won a $25,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society, and a week at a Sea World Busch Gardens Adventure Camp.

The winning question was: ``Peshawar, a city in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan has had strategic importance for decades because of its location near a historic pass.''

Andrew answered correctly when he replied, ``Khyber Pass.''

How many of us would have answered that question correctly? Well, I do not know. But for a $25,000 scholarship I am sure that there are many young people who would try.

I congratulate Andrew and urge all of my colleagues to vote affirmatively for this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.