[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 9, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO JULIE ROCHE ON HER U.S. CITIZENSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2002

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
Julie Roche, a dedicated member of the community and of my campaign 
staff for officially becoming an American citizen on February 22, 2002.
  Julie graduated from the University of California in San Diego in 
1992 with a degree in political Science and lived for 6 years in 
Washington, DC, before settling in Colorado, which is now her permanent 
home. Though Julie has lived in the United States for almost her entire 
life, she had retained her Irish citizenship until earlier this year. 
Giving up her Irish citizenship was a hard decision to make. Like most 
Americans who have come from abroad, Julie is very proud of her 
heritage. However, her dedication to public service, her interest in 
politics and her love for the United States persuaded her to make the 
choice.
  While she is a new citizen, Julie is not a newcomer to our country or 
our democratic system of government. In addition to working for both my 
colleague, Representative Diana DeGette, and for me, Julie also works 
for the Colorado Democratic Party. She has decided--rightly--that 
American citizenship would allow her to even more fully participate in 
public affairs and to work for the betterment of what is now fully our 
common country. In her free time, Julie plays on a soccer team in 
Denver, runs marathons and is a volunteer for the Colorado Red Cross, 
where she is on call one week of every month and helps victims of 
disaster. She is a shining example of the spirit and promise of 
American democracy and the diversity that makes our country so special.
  On behalf of her fellow citizens of Colorado and the United States, I 
congratulate Julie on her becoming an American citizen.

                          ____________________