[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 73 (Tuesday, June 9, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1067]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   A TRIBUTE TO SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA'S HERO OF THE WEEK PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 9, 1998

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to proudly recognize a 
wonderful program that exists in the city of Santa Clarita called the 
``Hero of the Week'' and those individuals honored under this program.
  Started by Maria Fulkerson and Lorraine Grimalde of Santa Clarita 
Anti-Gang Task Force, the Hero of the Week program focuses on more of 
the positive actions of our youth rather than the negative that most of 
the media covers. The program honors students for their positive 
actions and choices they have demonstrated. The students from the Santa 
Clarita Valley Junior and Senior High Schools are recommended by 
teachers and principals based on their observations of the student 
exhibiting positive behavior.
  The students that are selected exhibit the qualities that we are 
looking for in future leaders of our nation. These students, many of 
whom have had previous problems of one sort or another, have made 
remarkable improvements in many different areas. I am proud to honor 
these students today here on the House floor.
  On June 3, 1998, the Hero of the Week program honored 29 members of 
my community for their outstanding activities that truly made them 
heros in our neighborhood. These children have faced serious obstacles 
and in many cases faltered in the face of adversity. However, none of 
these students gave up. Their hard work and determination have truly 
earned them the title ``Hero of our Community.''
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to conclude these remarks by listing the 29 
students honored by the city last week. I congratulate them and the 
city for such a wonderful program helping our students in promoting 
positive activities.

                       Hero of the Week Honorees

     Jose Acosta--Canyon High School
     Gilbert Avalos--Arroyo Seco Jr. High School
     Andrew Brown--Canyon High School
     Tom Chaney--Sierra Vista Jr. High School
     Dionna Curtis--Sierra Vista Jr. High School
     Mario de la Torre--Canyon High School
     Colleen Dillingham--Saugus High School
     Rusmir Dzidic--Hart High School
     Jenny Embelton--Placerita Jr. High School
     Rigoberto Garcia--Placerita Jr. High School
     Kimberly Goff--La Mesa Jr. High School
     Chrissy Hambel--Saugus High School
     Michael Hardash--La Mesa Jr. High School
     Brandi Huff--Canyon High School
     Jin Kim--Sierra Vista Jr. High School
     Karla Martinez--Bowman High School
     Martina Mendez--Hart High School
     Eva-Maria Onesto--Saugus High School
     Rafael Orellana--Placerita Jr. High School
     Ashley Palmer--La Mesa Jr. High School
     Angel Rodriguez--Saugus High School
     Olivia Sanchez--Bowman High School
     Steven Santana--Arroyo Seco Jr. High School
     Erik Sayer--Arroyo Seco Jr. High School
     Diana Dimone--Valencia High School
     Jennifer Sorge--Valencia High School
     Joseph Taylor--Saugus High School
     Federico Valle--Hart High School
     Leopoldo Yepez--Sierra Vista Jr. High School

     

                          ____________________