[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 38 (Monday, March 30, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E520-E521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 BROOKLYN YOUNG WOMAN WINS NATIONAL SEVENTEEN/COVER GIRL VOLUNTEERISM 
                                 AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 30, 1998

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that one of my 
constituents, La-Kee-A Lowry, a 21-year-old young lady from Brooklyn, 
New York will be honored tomorrow as one of the six top winners in the 
first annual Seventeen/Cover Girl Volunteerism Awards.

[[Page E521]]

  Growing up in a Brooklyn housing project, La-Kee-A found a sanctuary 
in her public library, heading there after school and remaining until 
closing time. One day she arrived at the library to find a sign 
announcing it was being shut down due to budget cuts. Horrified, La-
Kee-A moved immediately to action. She started a local petition, 
collected over 1500 signatures, and organized her classmates to write 
letters to the White House. She appealed to elected officials in her 
area and at one point even staged a sit-in in front of the library. 
Local gang members threatened La-Kee-A and her grandmother, who largely 
raised her, begged her to just ``let it go''. But La-Kee-A prevailed 
and the library remained open. Today, La-Kee-A helps others reap the 
benefits of her work by, among other endeavors, working with children 
to spread the pleasures of reading.
  La-Kee-A is a young woman who demonstrated through pride and courage 
that young people can make a difference. I am proud that Seventeen and 
Cover Girl have recognized her important contributions to the Brooklyn 
community. Their efforts to reward the positive actions of young women 
are highly commendable and should be replicated by others. La-Kee-A is 
truly an example for young people everywhere that volunteerism can make 
a difference in their communities. Congratulations, La-Kee-A for your 
courage and for showing the world that young people can make important 
contributions if they are simply willing to stand up for their beliefs.

                          ____________________