[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PAYING TRIBUTE TO DREW SHAPIRO

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                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 2002

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Drew Shapiro, an eighth grader from Fenton, MI. In June, 2001, for his 
charitable Bar Mitzvah project, Drew chose to create snack kits to be 
distributed to homeless veterans in Flint and Ann Arbor, Michigan as 
well as Toledo, Ohio.
  When the project was finished Mr. Speaker, he had collected enough 
donated items and money to assemble over 600 individual snack kits 
containing canned tuna, snack mix, candy, nuts, raisins and other 
nutritional food. Some even contained wool hats and t-shirts. On 
December 21, 2001, with the help of the Ann Arbor Veterans 
Administration Hospital, Drew and his family distributed the kits, 
along with a note attached to each that read, ``Dear Veteran, Thank you 
for serving our country.''
  Even though Drew was planning his project well before the tragic 
events of September 11th, his hard work and compassion for our veterans 
took on special meaning after that terrible day. The attacks of 
September 11th were meant to create fear in every American, especially 
our children. Yet, the terrorists who carried out those evil acts have 
succeeded in only strengthening our resolve as Americans. It is also 
clear, through Drew's great example, that our nations greatest 
resource, our youth, is as strong, brave, and as bright as they have 
ever been.
  Mr. Speaker, this young man exemplifies the spirit of every American 
at this time in our history. He has set a wonderful example that every 
American can follow. I ask that my colleagues join with me in saluting 
Drew's devotion to our country and to its veterans, who themselves have 
paid such an incredible price so that we may continue to live in 
freedom.

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