[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               PAYING TRIBUTE TO JOHN DAVID REYNOLDS, III

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                        HON. HAROLD E. FORD, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 25, 2004

  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge John David 
Reynolds, III of Memphis, Tennessee, in his dedication to service in 
his community. On Wednesday, June 16th, I joined John at the America's 
Promise to our Youth Inaugural Gala in Washington.
  Founded in 1997 after the President's Summit for America's Future, 
America's Promise helps bring together communities to improve 
children's lives by making five promises. The five promises are: (1) 
ongoing relationships with caring adults--parents, mentors, tutors or 
coaches; (2) safe places with structured activities; (3) a healthy 
start and future; (4) marketable skills through an effective education; 
and (5) opportunities to serve through community service.
  Given John's commitment to his peers and to community service, we owe 
it to him to fulfill these promises. To that end, I was pleased to join 
with America's Promise in making a down payment on those promises by 
presenting him at the gala a scholarship for post-secondary education.
  He stands among his peers as a leader within their eyes and inspires 
them to reach within themselves to accomplish their goals. Therefore, 
it is appropriate to recognize his accomplishments before this body of 
Congress and this Nation.
  John is a graduate of Kingsbury High School, where he took on many 
leadership roles. He was elected to student office in: FCCLA, 
President; BPA, Vice President; and DECA, President for the 2003-2004 
school term. As an active member of all three chapters, he attended 
Peace Jam at Rhodes College in the Spring of 2004 and met with Nobel 
Peace Laureate Rigoberto Menchu Tum. During his time at Peace Jam, his 
FCCLA Chapter presented their own peace plans with over 20 other 
schools.
  In BPA, John taught elementary school students computer basics and 
data entry skills, helping them prepare for junior high school. As a 
secondary project, he also helped the Memphis Food Bank with food 
drives and sorting food.
  In DECA this John was part of an effort to collect 10,000 Pennies for 
Penguins in a drive for Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. The 
organization conducted a fashion show where they collected $700 for St. 
Jude Children's Research Hospital. John also participated in the 
creation of the ``Johnville Project.'' This project was used to teach 
middle school students the importance of budgeting money, self-worth, 
and achieving goals.
  I would also like to commend John for his accomplishments in numerous 
FCCLA, BPA, and DECA competitions. John placed second at FCCLA Regional 
and State BPA, and went to Nationals in DECA. He used each point as a 
stepping stone to improve upon his project, which took an entire eight 
months of diligent effort. In addition, he focused on creating a 
fitness center dedicated to improving the mental and physical health of 
teens.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to commend John David Reynolds for his tireless 
efforts to enrich the lives of the people in his community. Through his 
ability to confront challenges, and challenge others, he has become a 
leader among his peers. I commend him for his achievements and ask my 
colleagues to join me in paying tribute to him in the U.S. House of 
Representatives.

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