[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 18, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8123-S8124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING DONOVAN RILEY CLARKSON

 Mr. BUNNING. Madam President, I have the privilege and honor 
of rising today to recognize Mr. Donovan Riley Clarkson of Paducah, KY. 
Donovan was recently recognized for his accomplishments in dance.
  This 10-year-old gentleman copes daily with the effects of central 
auditory processing disorder. In a person who suffers from this 
disorder, information is not correctly processed from the ear to the 
brain. This makes daily activities, from hearing conversations to hand-
eye coordination, difficult to complete. Nevertheless, Donovan has not 
allowed this disorder to interfere with his dreams and accomplishments.
  Donovan performs with a dance troupe at the Beverly Rogers Dance 
Academy. His family enrolled him in dance four years ago after a 
medical professional suggested that the movement could help his 
condition. Everyday after school, Donovan practices the assigned dance 
routine. He must practice twice as hard as his teammates in

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order to execute these moves. This dedication paid off; he earned a 
spot on a local dance troupe. In fact, Donovan is the youngest member 
of this group. His big smile and smooth dance moves helped the group 
place first in many regional competitions and earn an almost perfect 
score, securing the troupe a spot in the national Odyssey Dance 
Competition held in Lakeside, FL.
  Currently, Donovan attends the fourth grade at Reidland Elementary 
School in Paducah. His favorite subject is reading, which other 
individuals with his condition find difficult. In his free time, 
Donovan enjoys constructing toy models and Lego figures. However, 
spending time with his brother and sister is always on the top of his 
list.
  What sets Donovan apart from other children is not his disorder or 
his remarkable dance skills, but his determination. He has overcome 
every single obstacle placed before him, making his life a testament to 
hard work. Please join me in congratulating Mr. Donovan Riley Clarkson 
and wishing him the best of luck.

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