[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 62 (Wednesday, May 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF LEIGH McCREARY, RECIPIENT OF THE 2002 WANDA OWEN YOUTH 
                                 AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 15, 2002

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Leigh McCreary, 
who will receive the 2002 Wanda Owen Youth Award at the 35th annual 
News-Press Achievements Awards at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, 
California on May 15, 2002. Each year, this award is given to a youth 
volunteer who demonstrates extraordinary commitment and dedication to 
community service.
  Leigh is the 17-year-old daughter of Rose Montoya Lona and Fred Lona 
of Glendale. She was nominated by Mary Ann Baldonado of San Gabriel 
Mission High School, a private Catholic high school where Leigh is a 
senior. Leigh has given 86 hours of her time over 3\1/2\ years to the 
Midnight Mission, mostly helping to prepare and serve food to hundreds 
of homeless people and cleaning the cafeteria following a meal. She 
also takes time to talk to the homeless people at the mission.
  On her own initiative, Leigh sought out an internship with 
Assemblyman Dario Frommer's office and has volunteered more than 100 
hours there. She has assisted his staff with constituent correspondence 
and casework, speechwriting and press releases and compiled 
informational packets.
  In addition, Leigh has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for a 
year. Wielding a hammer and paintbrush, she has helped build homes for 
low-income families, and says her most challenging chore was using a 
shovel to level off a garage floor.
  She also tutors students after school at Incarnation Elementary 
School and maintains her grade point average above 4.0.
  For her commitment to make Glendale a better place as a youth leader 
in the community, I ask all Members of Congress to join me in 
congratulating Leigh McCreary upon receiving the 2002 Wanda Owen Youth 
Award.

                          ____________________