[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 10, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H7122]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   KANSAS PROUD OF 1997 MISS AMERICA

  (Mr. TIAHRT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize another in a long 
line of outstanding Kansans, Miss America, 1997, Tara Dawn Holland. 
Tara's 1-year reign as Miss America officially ends this Saturday. Tara 
has worked extensively in the past year as an advocate of the 
importance of literacy, and she has directed a considerable spotlight 
on this issue.
  Tara has been a literacy advocate for over 7 years, and she is 
currently the national spokesperson for the Library of Congress' 
Building of a Nation of Readers campaign. During the past year, she has 
visited dozens of schools and communities, stressing the importance of 
literacy.
  The number of Americans who live in a world without literacy skills 
many of us take for granted is alarmingly high. This presents an ever-
increasing dilemma in our advancing society. Tara's efforts to 
emphasize these literacy skills is important, not only to those who 
lack these skills, but to our entire society. Those who cannot read 
start each day at a disadvantage, and Tara has dedicated herself to 
reaching out to those most at risk, including children and the 
incarcerated.
  Tara Holland has fulfilled the Miss America motto of style, 
scholarship, service, and success on wonderful levels. We are very 
proud of her in Kansas.

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