[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 143 (Wednesday, October 5, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
        ALABAMA IS PROUD OF OUR MISS AMERICA, HEATHER WHITESTONE

                                 ______


                            HON. TOM BEVILL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 5, 1994

  Mr. BEVILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of our new Miss 
America, Heather Whitestone of Birmingham, who already has made the 
people of Alabama and this Nation so proud.
  In a press conference today on Capitol Hill, Heather outlined her 
plans for the coming year. I was very impressed with this extremely 
poised, beautiful young lady. At age 21, she is mature, polished and 
self-reliant beyond her years.
  She will make an outstanding goodwill ambassador as she travels 
America in the coming year with her upbeat message of hope, courage, 
faith, and positive thinking.
  Heather is an optimist and she conveys that optimism with a genuine, 
warm glow. She makes the excellent point, especially aimed at young 
people, that anything is possible.
  She has coped magnificently with profound deafness since early 
childhood and serves as a tremendous role model not only for those who 
live with physical impairments, but for all of us. If we listen, we can 
all learn from her.
  I wish Heather all the best in her reign as Miss America. I have a 
feeling that every life she touches, every community she visits will be 
made better by her presence and her message of encouragement.
  I include her statement today and I encourage my colleagues to read 
it and share it with others. Her statement follows:

                          Anything Is Possible

       Many young people in America today are challenged. Some 
     face unthinkable adversities and, despite the odds, enjoy 
     healthy and productive lives. Yet those who are unable to 
     overcome their obstacles and find a path of productivity 
     often suffer, in part, from an overwhelming lack of self-
     esteem and the absence of positive environments in which they 
     are challenged to try, fail, try again, and ultimately, 
     succeed.
       In facing my own life's challenges, I have discovered a 
     unique approach that I call STARS: Success Through Action and 
     Realization (of your DreamS). The five points of a star 
     itself have continually reminded me that the essential 
     elements to achieving success are: To have a positive 
     attitude; To believe in your dream, especially education, 
     which is a dream all Americans share; To face your obstacles, 
     no matter how great; To work hard; and To build a support 
     team.
       As I travel this country in my role as Miss America, I will 
     communicate the STARS approach to our nation's youth. I will 
     teach them, through word and deed, the value of setting high 
     goals, working hard and achieving their dreams and ambitions, 
     reminding them that their actions speak louder than any 
     words. I will also carry this message to parents, teachers, 
     counselors, ministers and others who influence youth, 
     imploring them to create the proper environments for young 
     people to employ STARS and to serve as committed members of a 
     young person's support team.
       As a living example of a challenged person who has used a 
     STARS approach to succeed, I will extend my hand to anyone in 
     need of encouragement and love. I will ask them not to 
     imitate me, but rather to believe in themselves and the power 
     of their spirit. And I will reach out to specific groups with 
     whom I share a special bond.
       I will motivate all young people who are deaf or hard of 
     hearing to pursue a broad range of communication and 
     educational options in their lives, choosing those which best 
     reflect their goals and encouraging them to choose the 
     options that will build their self-esteem and, ultimately, 
     ensure their success in life.
       I will invite youth with disabilities to join me in 
     reaching out to the nondisabled world--without fear or 
     concern--to tear down the barriers of acceptance that still 
     exist by demonstrating that their lives are about their 
     abilities not their disabilities. In doing so, I know they 
     will find their own paths to success.
       I will encourage all young people facing challenges to 
     confront their obstacles with determination and confidence, 
     avoiding the epidemic of negative thinking that has swept our 
     country and robbed them of their self-esteem. I will help 
     them to realize their own success by setting very clear goals 
     and working hard to achieve them.
       And I will challenge opinion leaders and those who 
     influence youth to work even harder at creating the proper 
     environments for all young people--disabled and nondisabled--
     to confidently establish their own identity, helping them to 
     find a productive place in our society, and inspiring them 
     always to try, try again, and one day, to succeed.
       To these young people and countless others, I will commit 
     myself, speaking out on their behalf when they cannot. I will 
     believe in their dreams. I will help them to work hard. And I 
     will always be the very first member of their support team.
       These promises I make today, the fifth day of October, 
     1994.
                                               Heather Whitestone,
     Miss America 1995.

                          ____________________