{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=DC4509F8-4450-4431-8B08-352713D0C162", "Heitkamp Helps Donate Computers to Oliver-Mercer Special Education Unit in Hazen", "2018-09-20", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "ND", "Heidi Heitkamp", "H001069", "www.heitkamp.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "GRAND FORKS, N.D.  U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp announced that she is donating five U.S. Senate computers to be used in classrooms at the Oliver-Mercer Special Education Unit in Hazen.\r\nThe U.S. Senate Computers for Schools Program helps public schools take advantage of the information age by channeling surplus Senate computers into classrooms countrywide. All registered public schools in the United States and territories are eligible.\r\nHeitkamp selected the Oliver-Mercer Special Education Unit to receive the five gently-used computers so the school can meet students' technology needs without having to buy all new equipment.\r\nFor our students to learn, grow, and reach their full potential, they need access to updated technology and computers, that enable them to do research, access critical learning tools, and reach communities far distances away, said Heitkamp. We live in a digital world and I'm thrilled that some of our U.S. Senate computers will be put to good use to support students in the Oliver Mercer region of North Dakota. It's critical that all schools across North Dakota have access to updated technology, and that's particularly the case in rural communities  and I'll keep looking for opportunities to support our state's schools, students, and teachers.\r\nIt was an unexpected, but welcome surprise when the Oliver-Mercer Special Education Unit received five computers with the help of Senator Heitkamp, said Linette Irwin, Director of Special Education for Oliver-Mercer. This donation will go a long ways toward making a direct and positive impact on our student's education as we serve three school districts in our part of North Dakota. I'm so grateful to Senator Heitkamp for thinking of rural students to receive these computers, because as we all know technology is constantly changing and becoming a more integral part of education. I know these computers will really make a difference in their education.\r\nHeitkamp also selected the GST Multidistrict Special Education Unit in Portland, the Turtle Mountain Special Education Unit, the Dickinson Special Education Unit, and the James River Special Education Cooperative to receive gently-used U.S. Senate computers. In 2015, Heitkamp visited Flasher Public Schools and Ed Clapp Elementary in Fargo that received computers through the same U.S. Senate Computers for Schools Program. In 2014, Heitkamp announced that Cannon Ball Elementary School was selected by Apple as one of 114 schools that received Apple Technology in every classroom.\r\nHeitkamp has long fought to improve educational opportunities for all students  whether by expanding access to technology, calling for increased funding resources, or by improving school breakfast and lunch. Heitkamp recently helped pass a bipartisan government funding bill that includes major wins for North Dakota's rural education priorities. This funding package includes funding for the School Improvement Program that supports classroom technology, distance learning, and professional development initiatives for rural schools.\r\nIn 2016, Heitkamp highlighted how new technology can inspire students in the class room when she brought U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel to Mandan Middle School. Together, they joined with 8th graders during a live Skype with astronaut, Dr. Karen Nyberg  a graduate from the University of North Dakota who had traveled to space.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=DC4509F8-4450-4431-8B08-352713D0C162"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9527080692350864, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}