[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E818]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING THE STUDENTS OF ATIA

                                 ______


                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 1996

  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to rise before 
this body and commend a group of American young people who are making a 
significant, positive impact in our world. The students named below are 
among many involved in the Advanced Training Institute of America 
[ATIA], an educational program specializing in the development of 
strong personal character.
  At the invitation of government leaders from New Zealand and 
Australia, these 92 students and staff traveled to the South Pacific on 
April 9, 1996. In addition to conducting a seminar with over 1,000 
Australian parents, young people, and children, the ATIA students met 
with government leaders to discuss character-based solutions for the 
international juvenile.
  The Honorable Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan, a New Zealand Member of 
Parliament representing the indigenous Maori people, and Jeff Lees of 
the New Zealand Justice Department received the American youth in order 
to discuss ways for expanding a previously established program of 
cooperation between the Justice Department and ATIA young people.
  In Melbourne, Australia, the Honorable Ross Smith and other members 
of Parliament welcomed the ATIA youth with opportunities to talk about 
developing a work with Australian juvenile offenders. The Honorable 
Richard Court, Premier of Western Australia, warmly received the 
American delegation in Perth, where the aforementioned seminar was 
conducted with over 1,000 in attendance, with special training also 
being provided by them for 200 young children.
  Among the most notable accomplishments of the trip was the drafting 
and signing of an agreement with the Australian Ministry of Justice. 
The agreement initiates a work involving families helping families and 
young people helping young people with the goals of strengthening 
families and reducing juvenile crime.
  The following young men and woman from around the United States 
deserve special recognition for their own commitment to good character, 
and for their personal sacrifices to reach out to needy youth and 
families all over the world:

       Starla Adams (OK), Grant Adams (OK), Andrew Anderson (OR), 
     Hamish Anderson (New Zealand), Karith Astle (CA), Angel 
     Atkinson (MO), Jonathan Bain (New Zealand), Simon Bain (New 
     Zealand), Jamie Becker (CO), Heather Bennett (IL), Richard 
     Bramblett (GA), Robert Breese (VA), Christy Briscoe (OK), 
     Cassidy Brock (OR), Weston Brock (OR), Susan Burdulis (WA), 
     Michael Canciglia (WA), Andy Cecil (GA), Tracey Collins (OH), 
     Elizabeth Connelly (CA), James Connelly (CA), Brent 
     Critchfield (CA).
       Rebekah Crook (TN), Mandy Dennis (TX), Jason Elliot (WY), 
     Janet Fay (PA), Amy Flora (MI), Benjamin Fryman (OH), Katelyn 
     Gerhardt (CA), William Gothard (IL), Eva Grunewald (TX), Lois 
     Guthrie (WI), Larry Guthrie (WI), Lydia Harmon (MI), Erik 
     Hartstom (CA), Adam Hawkins (AZ), Jennifer Hawley (CA), 
     Nathan Hawley (CA), Titus Heard (OK), Laurie Herbert (New 
     Zealand), Wendy Herdlein (MO), Kay Hill (OK), Thomas Hill 
     (OK).
       Joanne Hogg (New Zealand), Nigel Iro (New Zealand), Miriam 
     Johnson (AL), Carisa Joseph (CA), Anne Kirsten (IN), Dennis 
     Kutuzov (Russia), Crystal Ladd (WI), Leah Lentz (WI), Joseph 
     Lyle (GA), DeShea Mabra (MO), James Marsh (KY), Christi 
     Martin (FL), Danielle Martin (New Zealand), Joseph Martin 
     (TX), Richard Mast (FL), Ruth Mirecki (Canada), Lori Newsom 
     (AL), Esther Olson (KS), Matthew Olson (KS), Inga Panapa (New 
     Zealand), Krizia Panapa (New Zealand), Marcia Panapa (New 
     Zealand).
       Beth Pendergast (CA), Nathan Pennell (DE), Sara Ramsey 
     (CO), Jonathan Rath (TX), David Rees (KY), Abigail Rose (CA), 
     Kevin Rudeseal (TX), David Scott (NY), Courtney Scroggins 
     (TX), Paula Sinclair (New Zealand), Rosie Smith (New 
     Zealand), Rachel Snell (OH), Rebecca Snell (OH).
       Melissa Stahl (OH), John Stephens (IL), Jennifer Swecker 
     (WA), Daniel Thompson (CA), Scott Towers (OH), Jennifer Vise 
     (GA), Abby Wakefield (CA), Alyssa Wakefield (CA), Kara 
     Wallace (WA), Jill Walton (PA), Bruce West (Australia), 
     Randal Williams (GA), Russell Williams (VA), Kelly 
     Williamson, (New Zealand).

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