[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 41 (Friday, March 22, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E418-E419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SUERJEE LEE WINS HIGH PRAISE FOR HELPING IMPROVE TWIN CITIES COMMUNITY

                                 ______


                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 1996

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a young 
Minnesotan, Ms. Suerjee Lee, for being recognized with the Prudential 
Spirit of Community Award. Ms. Lee is receiving the award for her 
volunteerism in the Twin Cities community, and is one of only two 
youths in my home State of Minnesota to be honored this year.
  Her volunteer efforts span many segments of the community. She spends 
time with elderly residents of a nearby nursing home and serves as a 
mentor for special education students at her school. Ms. Lee is also 
involved in a project called Fresh Force, a volunteer organization 
which performs a variety of community service activities. One such 
activity included beautification of the Mississippi riverfront by 
removing trash from the area. Recently, she was selected to represent 
St. Paul's Battle Creek School Fresh Force Program at a regional 
meeting of Fresh Force program participants. It is for this hard work 
and her dedication to our community and its citizens that she is being 
honored.
  In addition to her volunteer efforts, Ms. Lee, who is an eighth-
grader at Battle Creek Middle School, still finds time to remain an 
excellent student and participate in student government.
  Eight years ago she entered public school unable to speak English. 
Now, not only is she fluent in English, she is an ``A'' student and, 
therefore, a member of the National Honor Society. She also holds the 
position of vice president of Battle Creek Middle School's Student 
Council.
  A selection committee will soon choose 10 individuals from the list 
of State winners of the Prudential Spirit of Community Award to be 
their national award winners. Regardless of that decision, the citizens 
of the Twin Cities community and Battle Creek Middle School have 
already received a higher honor and great benefit, Suerjee Lee's 
leadership and hard work on behalf of the future of our community. Her 
efforts not only serve to improve the lives of our citizens and improve 
the quality of life in the Twin Cities, she has demonstrated the 
importance of volunteerism and

[[Page E419]]

community activism to all who know her. I join the entire community in 
congratulating Ms. Lee for winning this prestigious award and in 
thanking her for her efforts on behalf of our community and its 
citizens.

                          ____________________