[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 136 (Friday, October 2, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1892-E1893]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO KRISTEN GRACZYC

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HEATHER WILSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 2, 1998

  Mrs. WILSON. Mr. Speaker, Kristen Graczyc is a constituent of mine. 
Although she is not old enough to vote, the lesson she has learned and 
taught to students and adults make her wise beyond her years. A 15-
year-old soccer star at La Cueva High School, Kristen has been called 
the Mia Hamm of New Mexico soccer. As a sophomore she has scored 20 
goals in the first six games for one of the best high school soccer 
teams in the Nation.
  And then, before the Homecoming dance, she got drunk. At the dance 
she was pulled off the dance floor by principal Sam Soto, her parents 
were called and she was kicked off the soccer team. In these times, the 
story might have been that she found a lawyer and fought the suspension 
all the way to the Supreme Court. But Kristen did something different. 
She wrote a letter to her team and all of the media outlets in 
Albuquerque.
  In the letter she takes responsibility for her actions and warns 
other children about the effects of alcohol and encourages them not to

[[Page E1893]]

drink. She further said that she has let down her parents and her team 
and lost what meant the world to her; being part of the La Cueva 
women's soccer team. Kristen feels that this will make her a stronger 
person and a stronger player next year.
  Kristen has made all of us stronger. She has taught all of us who 
have heard about her efforts about admitting your mistakes, taking 
responsibility for your actions, and apologizing when you are wrong. 
This year, Kristen is going to go to the soccer games and cheer for her 
teammates. Next year, she will be back on the team. A little older, a 
little wiser, and respected not only for her talent, but for her 
character.

                          ____________________