[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 125 (Thursday, September 23, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S11377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO HEATHER RENEE FRENCH

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate 
Heather Renee French of Maysville, Kentucky, on her recent crowning as 
Miss America 1999.
  Ms. French is an outstanding young woman who made all Kentuckians 
proud of her impressive showing at this year's prestigious Miss America 
pageant. She made history with her win on September 18, 1999, as the 
first Miss Kentucky ever to be named as the reigning Miss America--and 
the goal to help homeless Veterans she's set for her year-long term 
will likely make history as well.
  Though young, Ms. French has accomplished a great deal in her 24 
years. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati (U of C) 
undergraduate program and a student in the U of C Masters of Design 
school, she currently teaches at the U of C design school, and is 
working on a textbook for college-level design students.
  Her resume boasts extensive service and volunteer experience, 
including working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, volunteering at VA 
hospitals and with the Statewide Vietnam Veterans Awareness Campaign. 
It is refreshing to see an intelligent, successful young woman who 
takes the time to spend unpaid hours working to help others.
  According to post-pageant interviews, Ms. French has indicated that 
the top priority with her newly-won title is to lobby Congress on 
behalf of America's Veterans. The daughter of a disabled Vietnam 
Veteran, Ms. French has become acutely aware of the problems Veterans 
face and the obstacles they often have to overcome.
  I also would like to congratulate the French family, as this is their 
victory as well. They are to be commended for the love and support they 
provided throughout Heather's life, and throughout what was surely a 
busy summer preparing for the September pageant. Her father, Ron, 
deserves recognition as the inspiration for Heather's strong desire to 
help America's Veterans and for the Purple Heart he earned during the 
Vietnam War. As a father, it would encourage me to know that my 
daughters had learned something from a parents' adversity that would 
drive them to help others with similar experiences.
  My colleagues and I join in congratulating you, Ms. French, on your 
success and wish you all the best in what will surely be an exciting 
year.

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