[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 95 (Monday, July 12, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H5480-H5481]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING DAVID S. TIDMARSH, 2004 SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE CHAMPION

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 684) honoring David Scott Tidmarsh, 
the 2004 Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 684

       Whereas Mr. David Scott Tidmarsh was a student at Edison 
     Intermediate Center located in South Bend, Indiana;
       Whereas Mr. Tidmarsh earned his right to compete for the 
     national spelling bee title by winning the City of South 
     Bend, Indiana spelling bee;
       Whereas the 77th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee was 
     held in Washington, D.C. June 1 through 3, 2004;
       Whereas 265 spellers from across the United States, 
     American Samoa, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Saudi 
     Arabia, and the United States Virgin Islands all competed for 
     the title;
       Whereas Mr. Tidmarsh, competitor number 76, competed in the 
     bee and survived 15 rounds of competition; and
       Whereas Mr. Tidmarsh's achievement brings an immense sense 
     of pride to Edison Intermediate Center, his hometown of South 
     Bend, and the state of Indiana: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates David Scott Tidmarsh on his mastery of 
     the English language, culminating in his correctly spelling 
     ``autochthonous'' in Round 15, and becoming the 77th Annual 
     Scripps National Spelling Bee champion;
       (2) recognizes the dedication and achievement of Mr. 
     Tidmarsh;
       (3) wishes Mr. Tidmarsh much success in achieving his life 
     goals; and
       (4) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
     make available enrolled copies of this resolution to Edison 
     Intermediate Center, located in South Bend, Indiana, for 
     appropriate display and to transmit an enrolled copy of this 
     resolution to David Scott Tidmarsh and his family.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Mrs. Miller) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller).


                             General Leave

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the 
resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the House acknowledges the accomplishments and the 
contributions of many deserving Americans during the course of every 
year. But today during the consideration of House Resolution 684, we 
congratulate one of our youngest honorees, and certainly one of the 
most impressive as well. Thanks to the work of the distinguished 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Chocola), today the House of 
Representatives salutes the winner of the 77th Annual Scripps National 
Spelling Bee. This is a 14-year-old boy named David Scott Tidmarsh. He 
lives in South Bend, Indiana.
  David won the South Bend city spelling bee to earn a trip to the 
Scripps National contest here in Washington, D.C. from June 1 through 
June 3. And during the championship, David survived 15 nail-biting 
rounds against a couple of hundred of the most gifted spellers from 
across the Nation; and he clinched the championship on the word, and I 
hope I can even pronounce the word, ``autochthonous,'' I believe it is 
pronounced. It was very impressive, I would say. For those who are 
scoring at home, let me spell it for them. That is a-u-t-o-c-h-t-h-o-n-
o-u-s.
  While it is not surprising, due to his very clear mastery of the 
English language, it is important to note that David is a straight-A 
student who loves to read. Reportedly David's favorite books are 
mysteries and science fiction. And I also understand he enjoys learning 
about politics; so I would certainly urge both the national political 
parties to think about recruiting this young fellow very early on. 
David obviously has a very bright future ahead of him no matter what he 
decides to do.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the whole House, we wish David Scott 
Tidmarsh the very best in his continued schooling and in the future. 
Again, I want to thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Chocola) for 
recognizing David's incredible accomplishment, of which David should be 
very proud.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I am pleased to join with the gentlewoman from Michigan in 
consideration of this resolution honoring David Scott Tidmarsh, the 
2004 Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a very special student for 
possessing a great skill. This year David Scott Tidmarsh survived 15 
challenging rounds to win the 77th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee 
by spelling a very challenging word. As a matter of fact, I was saying 
to myself that had not it been for the fact that Mrs. Beadie King 
taught us to read phonetically, that is, to break words apart and 
separate them, I probably never would be able to enunciate this word. 
But it is ``autochthonous,'' and I thank Mrs. Beadie for the phonetic 
way in which she taught us to read. That helps me.
  But the National Spelling Bee is a wonderful competition that 
celebrates a child's intellect and thirst for learning. Each year, 
students compete within their schools, then within their region, and 
then, if successful, at the national competition in Washington, D.C.
  David Scott Tidmarsh advanced to the national competition by winning 
the Edison Intermediate Center competition in South Bend, Indiana, and 
then by winning the citywide competition.
  At the National Spelling Bee, Tidmarsh was pitted against 265 other 
talented spellers from all over the U.S., as well as American Samoa, 
the Bahamas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, and the United States 
Virgin Islands. Using concentration and determination, Mr. Tidmarsh 
persevered to become national champion.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate David Scott Tidmarsh. His

[[Page H5481]]

willingness to study hard and to work toward a difficult goal is an 
example from which all Americans can learn. He is indeed a rare and 
talented young person. Again, I extend to him my congratulations.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Chocola).
  Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Res. 684, a resolution 
honoring David Scott Tidmarsh, the 2004 Scripps National Spelling Bee 
champion. I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Virginia 
(Mr. Davis), the chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, for 
moving this resolution so quickly through his committee.
  Mr. Speaker, 14-year-old David Tidmarsh is truly a remarkable young 
man. Having had the opportunity to meet him and witness his 
accomplishments, I think I can say that with great confidence.
  This soon-to-be freshman at Adams High School in South Bend, Indiana, 
is no stranger to the national spelling bee contest. He finished tied 
for 16th place in last year's spelling bee, but this year he knew he 
could do better, and he set out on a plan to achieve that goal.
  David Tidmarsh has four dictionaries that he calls his own in his 
personal collection, including one that is so well worn that, if you 
shook it, it would probably fall apart. He has read through that one 
cover to cover twice. In fact, he compiled a list of words he thought 
might be included in the contest and typed them into his family's home 
computer. He also studied word lists from prior competitions.
  Mr. Speaker, I think it is safe to say this is a very determined 
young man.
  I was surprised to learn that in the 77-year history of the Scripps 
National Spelling Bee there has never been a winner from Indiana until 
this
young man correctly spelled ``autochthonous,'' which is hard enough to 
say, very hard to spell, in the 15th round.
  Mr. Speaker, I know that people from all over the country were 
holding their breath, watching David spell that final word on ESPN. I 
also know that his school and his hometown of South Bend, Indiana, was 
overwhelmed with excitement when he claimed the championship.
  In fact, he has had quite a whirlwind tour since winning. He won the 
trophy on Thursday, June 3. That very night, he and his family traveled 
to New York City, and the next morning he appeared on the CBS Early 
Show, ABC's Good Morning America, NBC's Today Show, and, after that, he 
appeared on Fox News and CNN as well.
  After that, he came back here to Washington, D.C., to deliver the 
speech at the bee's banquet that evening; and then he finally went back 
home to South Bend, Indiana, on Saturday.
  On Monday, he attended a rally in his honor at his school, Edison 
Intermediate Center, hosted by the City of South Bend and the South 
Bend Community School Corporation. At the celebration, he was praised 
by Indiana's Governor, Joe Kernan, for the way he handled his victory. 
In fact, Governor Kernan was so impressed that he awarded David the 
State of Indiana's highest honor, the Sagamore of the Wabash Award.
  But that was only the beginning of the accolades. South Bend Mayor 
Steve Luecke presented David with the key to the city and declared June 
7, 2004, David Scott Tidmarsh Day. In St. Joseph County, Commissioner 
Cindy Bodle presented David with a key to the county.
  Since that time in early June, David has thrown out his first pitch 
at a South Bend Silverhawks game, and I might say it was a strike, I 
was there to witness it, and he has appeared in numerous local parades 
and even had the opportunity to visit with the President of the United 
States in the Oval Office.
  Everyone, including his very proud parents, his classmates, his 
extended Hoosier family, the Indiana Congressional Delegation and 
myself, are all extremely proud of David's accomplishments.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support House 
Resolution 684, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 684.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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