[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 54 (Thursday, April 3, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      A CELEBRATION OF YOUTH IN HONOR OF SELENA AND JAMES BURNETTE

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                            HON. NICK SMITH

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 3, 2003

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 
birth and life of my grandchildren, Selena Anastasia and James Azarial, 
born February 26, 1997 to Elizabeth and Fred Burnette. My wife Bonnie 
and I join with James and Selena's other grandparents, Bonnie and 
Charles Burnette, to celebrate these children.
  In James and Selena's birth year we made great advances in space 
technology. Onboard our flight to Mars was ``Sojourner.'' This roving 
device, the first autonomous vehicle to travel on another planet, sent 
back to earth chemical analyses of soil and rocks. Sojourner was one of 
the greatest achievements in our space travel history.
  Inventors play a unique role in our history creating new products to 
improve our way of life. Invention comes from the Latin, inventio, to 
discover or find out. Today, we continue to ``find out'' and create new 
ways to travel, grow food, communicate, and continue exploration of 
uncharted territory.
  I hope that for these children curiosity will always be their guide 
so that they and their generation will continue scientific research to 
invent ways to make their own lives better.
  I hope that as we consider legislation for these new issues we 
consider what we can contribute to our children and grandchildren by 
encouraging invention. I hope that we can leave Selena and James, and 
children and grandchildren everywhere, a brighter future because of our 
decisions today.

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