[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 74 (Wednesday, June 10, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6114-S6115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO AARON LOPEZ: NEW HAMPSHIRE'S 1998 STATE YOUTH OF THE YEAR 
                                  1998

   Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to 
congratulate Aaron Lopez of Nashua, NH. Aaron was recently named the 
New Hampshire State Youth of the Year by the Boys and Girls Clubs of 
America.
  The Youth of the Year program, in its 51st year, recognizes 
outstanding

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contributions to a member's family, school, community, and Boys and 
Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome.
  At the Club, Aaron has served as president of the Toastmasters, 
treasurer of the Keystone Club, a teen leadership group, and peer 
leader of Smart Moves, a drug and sex prevention program. Aaron, a 
senior at Nashua High School, is also active in his community. He 
participated in the Teen Institute, a leadership seminar to educate 
teens about drug and alcohol abuse, violence, teen pregnancy, and 
family and community issues. He is also organizing a program for 
Parents and Children Together (P.A.C.T.) to help families resolve 
conflicts.
  For the first time, winners of the 1998 State Youth of the Year 
honors will receive scholarships for post-secondary education from 
popular television personality Oprah Winfrey. A nationwide fund drive, 
known as ``Oprah's Angel Network,'' was announced by Oprah on her 
nationally-syndicated television program last fall.
  Boys and Girls Clubs of America comprises a national network of close 
to 2,000 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving some three 
million young people, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances. Known 
as ``The Positive Place for Kids,'' the Clubs provide guidance-oriented 
character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years 
old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys and Girls 
Club programs, such as Youth of the Year, emphasize character and 
leadership development, education and career enhancement, health and 
life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation.
  Aaron and other extraordinary young people from the Boys and Girls 
Clubs of America continue to keep alive the virtue of community service 
and inspire others to do the same. Their personal initiatives, 
dedicated service, and hard work have impacted the lives of many. In a 
time when young people seem to be less involved in their communities, 
these young Americans continue to defend and keep the spirit of 
community alive. I want to congratulate Aaron Lopez for his outstanding 
work and I am proud to represent him in the United States 
Senate.

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