[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CELEBRATING STUDENT VOLUNTEERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIM LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 14, 2001

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I wish today to congratulate several young 
students from my district who have achieved national recognition for 
performing outstanding volunteer service in their communities. Rochelle 
Cotton of East Greenwich and Michelle Wheelock of North Kingstown have 
been named as my state's top honorees, and Claire Berman of North 
Kingstown is a state finalist in the 2001 Prudential Spirit of 
Community Awards program. This is an annual honor that is conferred on 
the most impressive student volunteers around the country.
  Miss Cotton is a junior at East Greenwich High School and was 
recognized for founding the Rhode Island Student Alliance. This 
student-run non-profit organization identifies issues that affect 
teenagers in the community and attempts to find solutions. Miss Cotton 
expanded the program to the entire state, personally presenting her 
idea to the principals of each high school. Representatives from every 
school in Rhode Island now meet monthly to work on a variety of 
projects, such as curbing youth violence and creating an advice book 
for high school freshmen. Miss Cotton is pleased that students can now 
come together for cooperation rather than competition.
  Miss Wheelock is currently in the seventh grade at Wickford Middle 
School. She was honored for her work with seniors at a local nursing 
home. Motivated by the opportunity to ``brighten up the day of every 
resident I met,'' Miss Wheelock never tires of trying to improve the 
lives of her new friends. Throughout her service with seniors, she 
always strives to understand what they are going through and listen to 
their concerns. Miss Wheelock plans to continue volunteering at the 
nursing home for as long as she can, sharing her happiness with her new 
friends.
  Miss Berman is a junior at North Kingstown High School, who was 
instrumental in the collection of more than 840 cans of food for the 
North Kingstown Food Pantry. She accomplished this by organizing a 
competition where students competed to construct four-foot ``Empire 
State Buildings'' out of canned goods that were then donated to the 
pantry.
  These three students are examples for all our young people. Given the 
growing trend of Americans being less involved in community activity 
than they once were, it is important to encourage the kind of dedicated 
service shown by these three young women. They are inspiring role 
models for us all.
  Miss Cotton, Miss Wheelock and Miss Berman should be extremely proud 
to be chosen for this honor out of a group of such motivated 
volunteers. I would like to honor these young citizens for their 
initiative in bettering their communities. They are truly extraordinary 
in their level of commitment, and they deserve the admiration and 
respect of us all.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope you and our colleagues will join me in 
congratulating these students, along with all of the Prudential Spirit 
of Community awardees throughout the country.

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