[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 47 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H2319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           YOUNG ROLE MODELS

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, this week three youngsters from Sparks, 
Nevada, were honored as national winners of Make a Difference Day, the 
largest national day dedicated to helping others.
  Ten-year-old Crystal DeRuise, her 8-year-old brother Trevor, and her 
friend, 10-year-old Diana Vaden, started a simple crafts project. They 
collected oval-shaped rocks, painted them to resemble ladybugs, and 
sold them at local community craft fairs.
  This simple project has become a local phenomenon in a nationally-
recognized charity. When Diana's mother became ill with lupus last 
year, the students began to sell their rocks at the local stores, 
donating all of their proceeds to the Lupus Foundation. To date, they 
have raised about $1,500 for lupus research, and plan to generate at 
least $1,000 more in sales by Christmas.
  In addition, as national finalists, an award of $10,000 will go 
directly to the Lupus Foundation on their behalf.
  It is truly an honor for me to recognize these young individuals, who 
have given so much of themselves to such a worthy cause. These young 
children are truly the real role models for all America.

                          ____________________