WASHINGTON – Taking constituent service to a new level, Rep. Tom Petri's staff managed to introduce "Flat Stanley" to President Bush during the President's visit in Appleton Tuesday.

Young children and parents all across the country know that Flat Stanley is a character in a story who was flattened by an accident. Being reduced to two dimensions made it possible for him to travel through the mail. Accordingly, teachers nationwide have young students make their own Flat Stanleys which they mail to people they know in other schools, states or countries as a way to improve their writing and communication skills and learn about different places.

When President Bush's visit to Appleton was announced, the parent of a second grade student at Barlow Park Elementary School in Ripon called Rep. Petri's Fond du Lac office to ask if her daughter's Flat Stanley could get a photo with the President.

With little hope but a willing attitude, Petri staffer Melissa Kok took the Flat Stanley with her to the President's speech at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center.

President George W. Bush poses for a photo with Flat Stanely during a visit to Appleton, WI on March 30, 2004

"I took a couple of pictures of Flat Stanley while President Bush was speaking in the background," Kok said. "Those pictures didn't turn out too nice because the camera focused on Stanley and the President was blurry in the background."

"After President Bush finished with his speech, I moved to the front of the aisle to take better pictures of him leaving. He then proceeded down the stairs and shook hands with everyone in the front row where we were standing. President Bush saw that I had Flat Stanley and even said, 'Flat Stanley! Did you want to take a picture?' Of course, I said yes," Kok said.