[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 177 (Thursday, November 20, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MARY FRANCES HILLOW

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                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Mary 
Frances Hillow, a distinguished student at Visitation Academy located 
in Town and Country, Missouri. Mary Fran continues to excel in and 
outside of the classroom.
  Mary Fran is an outstanding student. She shows a passionate drive to 
achieve academic excellence. Mary Fran is also a member of National Jr. 
Honor Society. The national junior honor society is one of the Nation's 
premier organizations established to recognize outstanding high school 
and middle level students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serve to 
honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of 
Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character (and Citizenship for 
NJHS).
  Aside from her academic endeavors, Mary Fran is also an established 
varsity golfer at Visitation Academy. She dedicates at least 10 hours 
every weekend to improving her golfing techniques. Mary Fran began 
playing her first 18 holes of golf in December 2007, just 10 short 
months later, she finished 10th in the Missouri State Golf Tournament. 
Mary Fran again excelled on the golf course by winning her second 
tournament after beating the second place player by 11 shots.
  Mary Fran's athletic achievements as a golfer have landed a varsity 
position for Visitation Academy, something unusual for a freshman to 
achieve. She is one of five players on the varsity team. Her team was 
undefeated for the 2008 season and won the state district tournament by 
56 shots.
  Again, Mary Fran excelled at the State District golf tournament with 
a 17 hole lead and ended in a tie for first place at 3 over, 75. Her 
team's score was an impressive 309 at the State District tournament. 
This is the lowest score ever recorded in Missouri history.
  Mary Fran played in the Missouri State Golf Tournament October 20-21, 
2008. She was one of the few freshman players in the tournament. Her 
team won the tournament by 55 shots and Mary Fran was the number 2 
player on her team. Individually, Mary Fran finished the tournament in 
10th place out of an astonishing 120 players.
  Madam Speaker, Ms. Mary Frances Hillow has my absolute highest 
recommendation to be honored today. I admire her demonstrated 
commitment to academic excellence and her accomplishments as a golfer 
and team player. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring such a 
wonderful Missouri student athlete.

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