[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 18, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MISS ARIANE FRANCO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 18, 1996

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
extraordinary young Puerto Rican, Miss Ariane Franco, for her 
dedication to excel academically and serve the community. She is an 
inspiration and a role model for many young students in the Nation, 
specially the Puerto Rican and South Bronx communities to which she 
belongs.
  Ariane was recently selected as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America's 
Northeast Youth of the Year. She will represent the Northeast as one of 
the five finalists in this year's competition, which is being held in 
Washington, DC.
  Like many other youngsters across the Nation, Ariane was raised in a 
family which faced many difficulties. Her desire to do something 
positive led her to achieve academically and to serve the community.
  Ariane has been an active member of the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club 
over the past 4 years. At the club, she worked as a tutor for remedial 
math and reading, and as a computer instructor. She was also involved 
in numerous community service programs, including the Club's Smart 
Moves Program. Through this program, Ariane taught youngsters to be 
aware of and to prevent substance abuse, teen pregnancy, peer pressure 
and AIDS.
  Ariane's strong determination to fight adversity, and her family's 
spiritual strength have molded her into a very positive individual, 
always full of optimism and with the desire to help others.
  In addition to her community activism and leadership, Ariane is an 
excellent student. In spite of difficulties, she remained an honor 
student throughout her 4 years of high school at Stevenson's in the 
Bronx. She now attends the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. Her 
strong desire to inform people about the truth has led her to major in 
communications with the goal of becoming a journalist.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Miss 
Ariane Franco for her leadership and commitment to her community, and 
for serving as a role model for young people. Young individuals like 
Ariane make all of us proud, specially our Puerto Rican community of 
the South Bronx.

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