[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 44 (Monday, March 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO BRANDON PETTIT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 22, 2010

  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate 
Brandon Pettit, of Prole, Iowa, who has achieved national recognition 
for exemplary volunteer service in his community. The 2010 Prudential 
Spirit of Community Awards program recently named Brandon as one of the 
top youth volunteers in Iowa for his part in the 2009 Warren County 
Fair's recycling effort.
  Brandon, upon noticing significant potential to cut down on waste at 
public events, created and successfully implemented a plastic bottle 
and aluminum can recycling initiative for the 2009 Warren County Fair. 
His plan recruited fellow 4-H members to monitor and empty 10 recycling 
bins strategically placed throughout the fairgrounds. Brandon would 
then, with the help of his family, proceed to sort, bag, and deliver 
the used bottles and cans to redemption and recycling centers.
  Created in 1995, by Prudential Financial in partnership with the 
National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The 
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards annually honors the most 
impressive student volunteers in each state and the District of 
Columbia. This organization strives to impress upon all youth 
volunteers that their contributions are critically important and highly 
valued, while inspiring other young individuals to follow their 
example. Over the past 15 years, the program has become the nation's 
largest youth recognition effort based solely on community service, and 
has honored nearly 100,000 young volunteers at the local, state and 
national level.
  Madam Speaker, individuals such as Brandon Pettit must be recognized 
and applauded for their sincere dedication to maintaining a healthy 
community and for their positive impact on the lives of others. 
Brandon's actions show that young Americans can--and do--play important 
roles in our nation, and I am proud to represent him, his family and 
his fellow volunteers in the United States Congress.

                          ____________________