[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 77 (Wednesday, June 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1011]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING SAM DUDLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 11, 2002

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I attended a special dedication of 
a mural at Santa Barbara Junior High in the memory of not only the 
3,000 people who lost their lives on September 11, but additionally in 
the memory of the 10,000 that survived. Today, I would like to pay 
special tribute to the person responsible for that mural, Sam Dudley.
  Sam Dudley is a student at Santa Barbara Junior High, who, like the 
rest of the country, was extremely affected by the events of September 
11. Instead of exchanging Christmas gifts, Sam urged his family to take 
a trip to Ground Zero, so that he could observe directly how New 
Yorkers were impacted by that horrible day.
  Upon visiting Ground Zero, Sam discovered the smoggy air, ashy 
streets and morose atmosphere that he had expected. Silence prevailed 
at the scene, only to be interrupted by the piercing noise of an 
ambulance's siren, which signified the passing of the vehicle, filled 
with the remains of victims. It was a sobering sight, and the missing 
posters that covered the walls, among tributes to the dead, left Sam 
with a somber, hopeless feeling. Yet when he began discussing the 
tragic day with bystanders, firefighters, police officers, and New York 
citizens, Sam realized that although the events of September 11 had 
caused 3,000 deaths, it had also produced 10,000 miracles.
  Sam met one woman who had 11 family members at the World Trade Center 
on September 11. After the smoke had cleared, the woman was amazed to 
hear that she had not lost a single family member in the attacks. 
Another woman, Janet Warnock, had a son who worked in one of the 
towers, and another son and husband who were firefighters that arrived 
at the site on that fateful morning. Janet's family members also 
survived.
  Upon returning to Santa Barbara, Sam wrote about his experience in 
New York. His essay was later published in the Santa Barbara News-
Press, attracting the attention of his school principal, Gerrie 
Fawsett, who offered Sam the resources to paint a mural reflecting his 
experience. The 8th grade leadership class also expressed interest in 
the project, and the students proceeded to create this mural, entitled 
3,000 Deaths, 10,000 Miracles.
  On June 10, 2002, this mural was unveiled at Santa Barbara Junior 
High. Janet Warnock flew out from New York to be present at the 
ceremony. The mural is a wonderful piece of work, and it will serve as 
a reminder that although there were many tragedies on that fateful day, 
September 11 created many miracles as well.

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