[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 15, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1411-S1412]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     SOUTH DAKOTAN STUDENTS HONORED

 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I congratulate and honor two young 
South Dakota students who have achieved national recognition for 
exemplary volunteer service in their communities. Michelle Rydell of 
Vermillion and Molly Stehly of Sioux Falls have just been named State 
Honorees in the 2005 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. 
They have proved themselves to be a part of the extraordinary youth of 
our country who understand the importance of civic duty and service in 
the community.
  Michelle is being recognized for her creation of a ``Dream Team'' 
that collected essential goods for impoverished people in Guatemala and 
helped raise awareness of poverty in the region. She gave more than 
goods to the people of a foreign land, she gave them hope.
  Molly is being recognized for her help with her mother's special 
education class. She offered freely of herself, at the young age of 13, 
in an effort to help the students with special needs to move toward 
greater independence.
  In a State like South Dakota, selfless acts of goodwill toward the 
community are often commonplace. Michelle and Molly stand out, however, 
for their constant contributions to others without consideration for 
themselves. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program has 
considered more than 20,000 young people this year and Michelle and 
Molly are among the handful selected for the honor.
  I heartily applaud Michelle and Molly for their initiative in seeking 
to

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make others' lives better. They have demonstrated a level of commitment 
and service that many adults will never achieve. They are shining 
examples, to young and old alike, of selfless public service. I would 
also like to recognize Kelly Fawcett of Miller and Kirstin Hanson of 
Elk Point, who were named Distinguished Finalists for their outstanding 
volunteer service.
  The actions of all of these young people demonstrate that young 
Americans can, and do, play important roles in their communities, and 
that America's youth continue to hold tremendous promise for the 
future.

                          ____________________