[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 33 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN RECOGNITION OF HEATHER RAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 16, 2005

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an 
outstanding young woman in my district, Heather Ray. Heather is a 
sophomore at Northglenn High School. She was recently honored with the 
Human Rights Campaign 1st Annual Colorado Youth Award. Heather was 
selected for her exceptional commitment to diversity.
  Specifically, she was instrumental in forming a diversity group at 
Northglenn High School called ``Students Teaching Not Discrimination'' 
or STAND. This organization is designed to give students a safe 
environment to talk about issues involving sexual orientation, 
discrimination and the peer pressure that can often lead young people 
to contemplate dropping out of school, or even worse, suicide.
  Heather and her fellow students in STAND have spoken out against the 
violence and hatred that so many young people are subjected to, and no 
matter what your position or religious views may be on controversial 
issues like gay marriage or sexual orientation, I believe we can all 
applaud this young woman for having the courage of her convictions, and 
for pursuing a constructive vehicle to explore these issues.
  Heather's teacher and mentor, Victoria Bull, describes Heather as an 
exceptional young person who not only cares passionately about equal 
right and human dignity but is also tenacious in her desire to affect 
change. Heather understands the importance of language and insists that 
those around her take care to make sure their words reflect the values 
of respect due all human beings. She plans to become a lawyer or a 
teacher so that she can continue to educate about and defend human 
rights.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Heather for her commitment 
to diversity. I join her family and friends in acknowledging her 
courage and idealism.

                          ____________________