[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 106 (Thursday, July 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE TO SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA'S ``HERO OF THE WEEK'' PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 26, 2001

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a wonderful program in 
the city of Santa Clarita called ``Hero of the Week'' as well as those 
individuals who have been honored in the program.
  The program is sponsored jointly by the City of Santa Clarita Anti-
Gang Task Force and Mad About Rising Crime Santa Clarita Chapter under 
the direction of Mr. Gary Popejoy. Started by Maria Fulkerson and 
Lorraine Grimaldo of the Santa Clarita Anti-Gang Task Force, the ``Hero 
of the Week'' program focuses on the positive actions of our youth 
rather than the negative. The program honors students for the 
constructive choices they have demonstrated. The students from the 
Santa Clarita Valley Junior and Senior High Schools are recommended by 
teachers and principals based on their observations of the student 
exhibiting positive behavior.
  The students that are selected exhibit the qualities that we are 
looking for in future leaders of our nation. These students, many of 
whom have experienced difficult times in their own lives, have made 
remarkable improvements through this program. I am pleased to honor 
these students today here on the House floor.
  On May 24th, 2001, the ``Hero of the Week'' program honored 44 
members of my community for their outstanding activities that truly 
made them heroes in our neighborhood. These students have faced serious 
obstacles and, in many cases, faltered in the face of adversity. 
However, none of these students gave up. Their hard work and 
determination have truly earned them the title ``Hero'' in our 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to conclude these remarks by listing the 
students honored by the city. I congratulate them and the sponsoring 
organizations for such a worthwhile and beneficial program.

                         HERO OF WEEK HONOREES

       Chanine Adams, Nicole Anderson-Melendez, Leonardo Barragan, 
     Samantha Berson, Laura Besenty, Junior Brambila, Marco 
     Cardenas, Cassandra Cabrera, Sonny Castro, Josh Cook, Nick 
     Dawson, Mae Ann Esparza, Jose Flores, Michael Glazier, Alana 
     Comez, Dustin Gustaveson, Kristina Hagen, Julie Henry, 
     Timothy Holmes, Kristyn Kennedy, Milad Khatibi, Michael Kolb, 
     Jason Komen, Mandy Larochelle, Jane Lin, Shady Mansy, Jesse 
     Marshall, Azadeh Mirbod, Ericka Ortega, Michael Ortiz, Kelly 
     Polen, Jonathan Salgado, Cesar Santillan, Tara Stewart, 
     Rafael Urquieta, Victor Vasquez, Antonio Wall, Mena Wasif, 
     Adam Weiler, Lyndsey Wilson, Brandi Wright, Amanda Yaffe, and 
     Dennis Yongmaneeratana.

     

                          ____________________