[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 11, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO TALIA LEMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 2008

  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a great achievement 
by seventh-grade student Talia Leman of Waukee, Iowa. Talia was named 
one of America's top ten youth volunteers for 2008 with the National 
Prudential Spirit of Community Award.
  Talia was selected from a field of nearly 20,000 candidates for her 
outstanding volunteer community service. The Prudential Spirit of 
Community Awards were created 13 years ago to encourage youth 
volunteerism and to identify and reward young role models. Talia 
received a personal award of $5,000, an engraved gold medallion, a 
crystal trophy for her school, and a $5,000 grant from The Prudential 
Foundation for a nonprofit charitable organization of her choice.
  Talia created ``RandomKid'' an organization that seeks to educate, 
motivate and unify young people around the world to work on a broad 
spectrum of pressing needs. She began the organization 2 years ago by 
encouraging kids to collect coins instead of candy on Halloween, and 
donate the money to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Her message was 
widely publicized to kids across the country and reportedly raised 
millions of dollars for Katrina victims.
  Talia established a nonprofit organization and created the website, 
www.randomkid.org which solicits young people for projects to help 
rebuild the Gulf Coast, raise money to build a school in Cambodia, find 
homes for stray pets, and collect DVDs for soldiers overseas. Talia is 
currently encouraging schools to make and sell their own private-
labeled bottled-water products to help fund clean-water technologies. 
She's also working on setting up a ``mini-United Nations'' made up of 
young delegates from around the world who work together to address 
global children's issues.
  Talia is a shining example of the dedication, determination and faith 
present in today's youth and their promise as tomorrow's leaders. I am 
proud to represent Talia Leman and her family in the United States 
Congress. I know that my colleagues join me in commending Talia for her 
accomplishments and dedication to making a difference in the world.

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