[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 MYKO SEQAUIA HAMMOND

                                 ______


                         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. Myko Seqauia Hammond is 1 of 5 distinguished students 
from East St. Louis, IL, that I will be honoring at this great 
celebration.
  Myko has weathered the hardships of a broken home throughout much of 
her life. At a young age, Myko had to endure life with her father who 
abused drugs and alcohol and which later lead to Myko's family having 
to rely on local shelters for adequate living quarters.
  Although Myko has had to face much diversity, she recently graduated 
from East St. Louis High School with a 3.3 grade point average. 
Additionally, Myko is a member of the Principal's Scholars Program, 
Honor's Seminar, French Club and Math Society. Myko plans to attend 
Western Illinois University this coming fall, where she plans to pursue 
the necessary degree requirements to become an educator.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that today I be given this 
opportunity to commend Myko for her outstanding achievements in this 
great body. I am certainly honored, and looking forward to presenting 
Myko with a scholarship at the first East St. Louis Beat the Odds 
awards celebration.

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