[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 11 (Tuesday, February 3, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                             ANGEL ARELLANO

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am pleased to recognize Angel 
Arellano's efforts in raising funds for the Chaffee Zoo in Fresno, CA.
  On Thanksgiving Day, after listening to a family conversation about 
the Chaffee Zoo's financial struggles, Angel Arellano, a 9-year-old 
girl from Fresno, CA, wrote a letter to the editor of the Fresno Bee. 
Her letter contained $1.00 and urged all Fresno residents to match her 
donation to help pay for the Chaffee Zoo's much needed repairs. Miss 
Arellano's letter expressed her anguish at the animals' precarious 
future. She wrote that the animals deserved food, water, and a warm 
home. Her plea sparked a movement to save the zoo. Her heartfelt letter 
caught the attention of past and present Fresno residents, inspiring 
thousands of individuals to send donations, ranging from $1.00 to 
$10,000.00. Currently, total pledges and donations have reached nearly 
$180,000.00 and have come from as far away as Great Britain.
  Angel Arellano's concern motivated people in Fresno and around the 
world to help save a Fresno institution. Her letter conjured memories 
of past visits to the zoo and reminded people of the joy felt by 
children when visiting with family while spending a Sunday in the 
sunshine, enjoying one of Fresno's treasures.
  Angel is a wonderful example of one person making a difference. To 
her, I say thank you. She has set a great example for all of 
us.

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