[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 10 (Wednesday, February 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING LAURA BERMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT A. WEYGAND

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 1998

  Mr. WEYGAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and honor a 
young Rhode Island student from my district who has achieved national 
recognition for exemplary volunteer service in her community. Laura 
Berman of North Kingstown has just been named one of my state's top 
honorees in the 1998 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, an 
annual honor conferred on the most impressive student volunteers in 
each state.
  Ms. Berman is being recognized for creating a library awareness 
program for third graders in her community of North Kingstown. Laura 
had read about a project in the New York City school system and decided 
to base her program on that. Working with a fellow volunteer, the local 
library system, and the elementary school teachers, Laura designed a 
classroom presentation that would impress upon children the joys of 
reading and the activities offered by the public library. Laura also 
distributed personal library cards to every child, along with a t-shirt 
purchased with donations that read, `Your library card . . . don't 
leave home without it!'' The program was so successful that Laura has 
recruited additional volunteer help and plans to offer it at two more 
elementary schools this year.
  In addition to Ms. Berman, I am pleased to tell you that there were 
four Distinguished Finalists. Ryan Arruda of Wickford Middle School in 
North Kingstown initiated a program to collect recyclable aluminum cans 
to benefit the local food pantry. Mariah Northrop also of Wickford 
Middle School participates in `Make a Difference Day'' to clean up her 
community. Janaina Stanley of North Kingstown High School started a 
program called Breaking Down Barriers to prevent racism, prejudice and 
hostility in her community. Finally, Erin Conti or Warwick Veterans 
Memorial High School volunteers as a `buddy'' on a baseball team for 
physical and mentally challenged children.
  All of these students should be very proud of themselves for having 
been singled out from such a large group of dedicated volunteers. I 
heartily applaud each and every one of them for his or her initiative 
in seeking to make Rhode Island a better place to live, and for the 
positive impact they have made on the lives of others. Each one has 
demonstrated a level of commitment and accomplishment that is truly 
extraordinary in today's world, and deserves our sincere admiration and 
respect. Their actions show that young people can--and do--play 
important roles in our communities, and that America's community spirit 
continues to hold tremendous promise for the future.

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