[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 74 (Friday, May 25, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S5690]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF JULIAN JAY HENDRICKS

 Mr. REID. Mr. President, on behalf of myself and Senator 
Ensign, I rise today to pay tribute to a young Nevadan who touched the 
lives of those around him and created a sense of family in the small 
one-room schoolhouse where he was a student.
  Julian Jay Hendricks, who celebrated his 7th birthday on February 25, 
2001, became a student in the Duckwater Elementary School one-room 
schoolhouse last fall, and quickly adapted to life in the 9 student 
community. Julian's contagious smile and joyful disposition became a 
welcome presence to his Duckwater classmates and teacher.
  Inside the classroom, Julian was an excellent math student, and 
enjoyed the task of learning how to read. On the playground, the young 
boy enthusiastically played basketball and volleyball with his friends 
and classmates. Like many adventurous boys, he loved skateboarding and 
rollerblading with his friends. Another favorite pastime of his was 
challenging his friends to a game of checkers; a game he was almost 
always the victor!
  Tragically, Julian's life and the life of his grandmother, Jeanette 
Lankford, were cut short in an automobile accident on March 4, 2001.
  For too short a time, this young Nevadan brought great happiness and 
friendship into a tiny schoolhouse in rural Duckwater, Nevada. We rise 
today to offer this tribute to Julian's life not only on our behalf, 
but on behalf of his teacher, Lynn Anderson, and all his friends and 
classmates at Duckwater Elementary School.
  In conclusion, I submit to the Record a poem written in memory of 
Julian by his friend Amber Hoy.

     I really didn't know Julian too well, but his beautiful smile 
           that stretched across his rosy chubby cheeks was quite 
           contagious to all of us.
     I knew him just well enough to know he enjoyed his life and 
           all of the wonders in it.
     I am just deeply disappointed that I didn't get to know him 
           as well as I would like to.
     I find myself selfishly wishing Julian was back here with us 
           now,
     Although we think of his death as a tragedy,
     Julian's future is much brighter in heaven with Jesus than it 
           ever would have been here on Earth.
     It was God's will to take Julian to a wonderful place where 
           he can live the rest of his life safe in peace.
     Secretly I ask myself what would Julian have been like in ten 
           or maybe twenty years from now?
     But I believe he will always be the small friendly boy, who 
           attended the small friendly Duckwater School.
     Even though Julian's body is gone, his spirit lives on in our 
           hearts and the joyful sound of his happy laugh will 
           forever ring in our ears.
     At first I wished that I would have gotten to say good-bye to 
           Julian, but maybe that last unforgettable smile and the 
           last slight wave of his little hand as he stepped off 
           the bus; was good-bye.
     Good-bye, Julian. . .
     Julian will always be in our thoughts and prayers.
     Love always, Amber Hoy.

  I add the thoughts and prayers of myself and Senator Ensign to those 
of Amber Hoy. Julian and his grandmother will be missed.

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