[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 71 (Thursday, May 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E803-E804]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS CONNOR DANTZLER AND CHRISTOPHER 
                                ANDERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROSCOE G. BARTLETT

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2008

  Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate 
and honor two young students from my district who have achieved 
national recognition for exemplary volunteer community service by the 
2008 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, an annual honor 
conferred on the most impressive student volunteers in each state and 
the District of Columbia.
  Connor Dantzler of Damascus has just been named one of the top 
honorees in Maryland. An eighth-grader at John T. Baker Middle School, 
Connor is being recognized for his ``Health through Humor'' program. He 
has distributed over 5,000 joke books to patients,

[[Page E804]]

their families and caregivers at hospitals and care centers throughout 
Maryland. In addition to delivering books to participating hospitals 
and health care centers, Connor spends time with patients and their 
loved ones. ``I've shared a smile and positive moment with a lot of 
people,'' said Connor. ``I hope that these efforts have made a 
difference to those who really needed something to laugh about.'' I am 
sure they did.
  Christopher Anderson, a sophomore at Westminster High was named a 
finalist and will receive a bronze medal. I heartily applaud 
Christopher for his initiative in seeking to make his community a 
better place to live by renovating an outdoor break area for the 
Association for Retarded Citizens of Carroll County to make it 
accessible to disabled residents. Inspired by his uncle who has Down 
syndrome, he recruited more than 40 volunteers and raised $3,000 for 
the project. Christopher and his volunteers removed old rock, built 
special picnic tables, replaced wooden sidewalks and planted trees and 
shrubs in order to make the area handicapped-accessible. It will 
continue to have a positive impact on the lives of others for years to 
come.
  Young volunteers like Connor and Christopher are inspiring examples 
to all of us, and are among our brightest hopes for a better tomorrow. 
The dedication and commitment by Connor Dantzler to sick hospital 
patients and Christopher Anderson to disabled individuals should fill 
all of us with pride that America's community spirit is strong. On 
behalf of the residents of Maryland's Sixth District I am honored to 
publicly thank and congratulate Connor and Christopher for their 
volunteer efforts. You give us hope and confidence that America's 
future will be led by a new generation of inspiring and compassionate 
leaders.

                          ____________________