[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 43 (Thursday, March 13, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CONNOR KONZ ENDURES FIJI

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                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2008

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize a young constituent 
of the Second Congressional District, Mr. Connor Konz, for his 
participation in the Discovery Kids Channel competition Endurance Fiji.
  Connor is a 15-year-old sophomore at Atascocita High School in 
Humble, Texas. He was selected in June of this year as a participant 
after submitting a five-minute video describing himself and how he 
spends his free time.
  The game consists of teams collecting 13 pyramid pieces which are 
essential inner qualities to complete the Pyramid of Endurance. They 
are Strength, Heart, Courage, Perseverance, Luck, Trust, Leadership, 
Discipline, Knowledge, Commitment, Teamwork, Ingenuity and Friendship. 
The first team to collect all 13 pieces wins the game. The teams earn 
pieces by winning physical and mental competitions.
  Connor and his mother, Debbie Konz, were flown to Fiji on Aug. 12. 
After arriving, he was taken by boat from the airport to an island 
hotel and from there to another island for the competition.
  By no means was this tropical island competition a Sunday picnic or 
vacation for Connor. He was without all of the daily teenage essentials 
such as no cell phone, MP3 player or digital camera the entire time he 
was on the island. He slept in a sleeping bag, in a bamboo hut with a 
thatched roof and no air conditioning. Connor said that the worst part 
of the experience was no electricity or indoor plumbing.
  The teens also faced isolation by sleeping on a separate island away 
from their parents and didn't get to see them again until they were 
kicked off the show for losing a competition.
  Connor had to use his physical and mental abilities to overcome the 
obstacles and challenges in the competition. It was an experience that 
pushed him farther than he thought he could go and resulted in lifelong 
friendships with the contestants.
  Connor not only represented his family in the competition but Humble, 
Texas as well. I salute Connor Konz for enduring Fiji.
  And that's just the way it is.

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