[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 37 (Friday, March 7, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING SONJA MARIA MONTANO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 2003

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize the achievements of Sonja Maria Montano, a resident of La 
Junta, Colorado, before this body of Congress and this nation.
  Over the past year, Sonja has received wide acclaim and numerous 
awards from Poetry.com, which first published her work, as well as the 
International Society of Poetry and Symposiums. Sonja was one of only 
thirty poets in the world invited to present her work to the ISPS 
spring convention in 2002. Now, Sonja's work has earned one of thirty-
five nominations for the society's grand prize, presented by Pulitzer 
Prize winning poet W.D. Snodgrass.
  Sonja, a promising writer as a teenager, gave up opportunities in 
creative writing to stay close to home and eventually raise a family. 
She found her voice again at the age of thirty-one when she began 
writing poetry on a bet with her nine-year-old son. After years of 
apprehension and reservations about her writing, Sonja has decided to 
become a poet.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege to recognize Sonja Maria Montano 
before this body of Congress and this nation for her courage and 
creativity in pursuing her dreams. I wish her every success in her new 
career.

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