[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 115 (Thursday, September 12, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8559-S8560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                VANESSA SHORT BULL IS MISS SOUTH DAKOTA

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I publicly commend Vanessa 
Short Bull, a resident of Rapid City, South Dakota, on her selection to 
represent South Dakota in the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, 
NJ.
  Vanessa Short Bull's extraordinary dedication to educational 
excellence, efforts to increase political awareness, prodigious ballet 
talent, and years of dedicated practice helped her win the title of 
Miss South Dakota. Vanessa will now be traveling to Atlantic City to 
compete against other highly talented women from across our nation for 
the title of Miss America 2002.
  Vanessa obtains the honor of being the first American Indian to be 
crowned Miss South Dakota. She was born on the Pine Ridge Indian 
Reservation, and currently resides in Rapid City. She is an enrolled 
member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and a direct descendent of several 
great Lakota leaders. Thomas and Darlene Short Bull are Vanessa's proud 
parents, and they deserve special recognition for their roles in 
helping Vanessa obtain this prestigious honor.
  ``Political Awareness and Participation'' is the center of Vanessa's 
platform. She believes it is important for Americans, especially young 
people and minorities, to become more involved in the democratic 
process. She has been actively helping her cause by registering voters 
and encouraging them to get out and vote. Vanessa will perform the 
classical ballet piece ``The Dying Swan'' for the talent portion of the 
competition. She has danced for more than 15 years and has studied at 
the School of Cleveland Ballet, Ballet West Conservatory, and the 
University of Utah.
  The Miss America Organization has maintained a tradition of 
empowering American women to achieve their personal and professional 
goals, while providing a forum for them to express their opinions, 
talents, and intelligence. Vanessa exemplifies this tradition, and 
provides an excellent example for other gifted young women to emulate. 
All of South Dakota is proud to have her represent our great state.

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  Vanessa Short Bull is an extraordinary woman who richly deserves this 
distinguished recognition. I strongly commend her years of hard work 
and dedication, and I am very pleased that her substantial efforts are 
being publicly honored and celebrated. I wish her the best at the Miss 
America competition, and it is with great honor that I share her 
impressive accomplishments with my colleagues.

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