[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 56 (Thursday, April 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE DOGWOOD TRAIL MAIDS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE NATIONAL 
                        CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 2, 2009

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Dogwood 
Trail Maids for being selected to participate in this year's National 
Cherry Blossom Festival.
  Held annually, the Cherry Blossom festival commemorates the 1912 gift 
of 3,000 cherry trees from the mayor of Tokyo to the city of Washington 
and honors the lasting friendship between the United States and Japan.
  Today, more than a million people travel to Washington each year to 
see the blossoming cherry trees and attend events that signal the 
beginning of spring in our Nation's capital.
  For 49 years, the Dogwood Trail Pageant and Scholarship Program--
comprised of six high school girls from Baldwin County--complete nearly 
200 hours of community service and make more than 50 appearances, 
including festivals, charity runs and ceremonies. The trail maids were 
even invited to both of Governor Bob Riley's Inaugural parades.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
Dogwood Trail Maids for their participation in the 2009 National Cherry 
Blossom Festival. I know Baldwin County and indeed, the State of 
Alabama are so proud for these young ladies to travel to Washington and 
participate in the organization's first Cherry Blossom parade.

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