[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING MEGAN JOHNSON AS THE WINNER OF THE 2010 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT 
                           OF COMMUNITY AWARD

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                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Megan 
Johnson of Federal Way, Washington for winning the 2010 Prudential 
Spirit of Community Award.
  Every year, Prudential Financial, Inc. chooses two people from each 
State and the District of Columbia as winners of the Spirit of 
Community Award. Megan Johnson was chosen for her outstanding community 
service. As a state honoree, Megan will receive a $1,000 cash award and 
a trip to Washington, DC. A senior at Highline CHOICE Academy in 
Burien, Megan was Washington State's top high school volunteer and one 
of ten national honorees. She initiated philanthropic programs for 
hospitalized children, the homeless, and substance-addicted babies. Her 
goal is to provide the underserved with the necessary resources to 
improve their situations.
  At the age of 10, Megan Johnson established a non-profit organization 
named ``Megan's Mission,'' making blankets for the homeless and 
soliciting donations to buy the homeless scarves, hats, and other warm 
clothing during the winter. In the following years, Megan joined ranks 
with community groups, schools, churches, and prisoners from Monroe 
Correctional Complex to make blankets for infants born of addicted 
mothers and collect DVDs for children's hospitals. Megan has aided four 
homeless families in finding a home; a remarkable feat for such a young 
woman. Currently, Megan raises money for Shriners Hospital for Children 
by writing and illustrating children's books, selling hot cider during 
Christmas, selling jewelry, and soliciting donations from corporations.
  In addition to being invited to speak at the Prudential Spirit of 
Community Service Awards in South Korea, Megan has also been asked to 
be a National Patient Ambassador for Shriners Children Hospital.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Megan 
Johnson for her selfless commitment to others and her dedication to 
help her community.

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