[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 34 (Thursday, March 23, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF KRISTEN STRYKER

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 23, 2000

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, today I honor Kristen Stryker of Canton. 
Kristen has been named as one of Ohio's top two student volunteers for 
the year 2000 in the fifth annual Prudential Spirit of Community 
awards.
  Kristen, an eighth grader at Faircrest Middle School, has a vegetable 
garden in her backyard. The harvest from this garden is donated to 
needy Native Americans in her area. Kristen's grandmother is 50 percent 
Native American and through this Kristen feels a connection to those 
who share her heritage. When she heard that the nearby Allegheny Indian 
Center was a beneficiary of the national ``Plant a Row for the Hungry'' 
program, Kristen was eager to participate. After planting rows of 
zucchini, yellow squash and green and purple beans, she worked 1 hour 
every morning and evening from March through August weeding, watering 
and mulching the garden. The people who received the vegetables were 
able to enjoy the health benefits and the Allegheny Indian Center was 
able to purchase other necessary items with the money saved. Now 
Kristen hopes to encourage her 4-H club to adopt ``Plant a Row for the 
Hungry'' as its countywide service project. ``I think this project has 
helped me become more sensitive to the needs of others,'' says Kristen.
  Kristen was nominated by Stark & Summit Counties Extension 4-H in 
North Canton, OH for her ingenious service project. As as State honoree 
she will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-
expense paid trip in May to Washington DC.
  Please join me in honoring Kristen for her outstanding leadership and 
service in her community.

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