[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 13 (Wednesday, February 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CONGRATULATIONS TO ANA DODSON

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                        HON. THOMAS G. TANCREDO

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 9, 2005

  Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate and honor a 
young Colorado student from my district who has achieved national 
recognition for exemplary volunteer service in her community. Ana 
Dodson of Evergreen has just been named one of the top youth volunteers 
by the 2005 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program, an annual 
honor conferred on the most impressive student volunteers.
  Ms. Dodson is being recognized for creating an organization called 
``Peruvian Hearts,'' a non-profit organization to aid abused and 
abandoned girls living in Peruvian orphanages. This organization has 
over the past year collected donations totaling near $10,000. This 
money was used to purchase such commodities as school supplies, 
vitamins, books, toiletries, clothing, medicine, quilts, backpacks, and 
toys.
  The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards was created by Prudential 
Financial in Partnership with the National Association of Secondary 
School Principals in 1995 to impress upon all youth volunteers that 
their contributions are critically important and highly valued, and to 
inspire other young people to follow their example. Over the past 8 
years, the program has become the Nation's largest youth recognition 
effort based solely on community service, with more than 170,000 
youngsters participating since its inception.
  Ms. Dodson should be extremely proud to have been singled out from 
such a large group of dedicated volunteers. I applaud Ms. Dodson for 
her contribution and public service, and for the positive impact she 
has had on the lives of others. She has demonstrated a level of 
commitment and accomplishment that is truly extraordinary in today's 
world. She is deserving of our sincere admiration and respect. Her 
actions show that the spirit of America's youth holds tremendous 
promise for America's future.

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