[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 80 (Wednesday, June 22, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        TRIBUTE TO EVELYN STRODE

                                 ______


                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 22, 1994

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce an outstanding 
program called Beat the Odds, which is sponsored by the Children's 
Defense Fund and Project Kids, Inc., to the U.S. Congress.
  Beat the Odds celebrations strike a chord with community leaders and 
citizens who want to help children struggling to achieve their academic 
desires. Corporations donate prizes for nominees, educators work to 
nominate the exceptional students, and the media embrace the Beat the 
Odds concept with wide-ranging coverage. Beat the Odds has fostered 
successes in many, hard-working, outstanding students.
  This Friday, June 24, 1994, I will have the opportunity to host the 
first East St. Louis Beat the Odds ceremonies at the Adams Mark Hotel 
in St. Louis, MO. Evelyn Strode is one of five distinguished students 
from East St. Louis, IL, that I will be honoring at this great 
celebration.
  Evelyn, like many young adults, has set a goal for the next 4 years 
of her life. In these 4 years, Evelyn will be working toward her degree 
requirements for her bachelor's degree in journalism. While this may 
sound like the normal goal for a recent high school graduate, Evelyn 
has had to overcome extreme odds through her dedication and hard work 
to reach this point in her life. Unlike other students, Evelyn has had 
to overcome the everyday reality of alcohol and drug abuse that plagued 
her family and community.
  Having recently graduated from East St. Louis High School with a 3.6 
grade point average, Evelyn has certainly proved her strong will and 
determination for post-graduate study. Evelyn should be proud of her 
wonderful contributions to her family, school, and her surrounding 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that today I be given this 
opportunity to commend Evelyn for her outstanding academic achievements 
in this great body. I am certainly honored, and looking forward, to 
present Evelyn with a scholarship at the first East St. Louis Beat the 
Odds awards celebration.

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