[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 36 (Thursday, March 10, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ALEX GURGANUS

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                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 10, 2011

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievement of 
Alex Gurganus, a seventh-grade student at Ames Middle School in Ames, 
Iowa. Alex was recently named one of only four state winners of the 
VSA/CVS Call for Art.
  Alex's participation in and of itself is stellar. Alex attained this 
honor despite being visually impaired. In the classroom, Alex requires 
large print, magnifiers, and a closed circuit TV system to facilitate 
his learning and compensate for zero vision in his right eye and low 
visual capacity in his left eye.
  However, Alex did not allow these obstacles to deter him as he has 
been meticulously perfecting his award-winning artwork, ``Design by 
Surprise,'' for the last three years. When composing a piece of art, 
Alex must memorize where the colors are on the palette in addition to 
utilizing a hand-held magnifying dome to ensure perfection.
  The example set by this young man demonstrates the rewards of hard 
work, dedication and perseverance, and I am honored to represent Alex 
Gurganus and his family in the United States Congress. I know that all 
of my colleagues will join me in congratulating him on overcoming such 
a difficult hurdle as a means to achieve such wonderful results. I 
speak for all my colleagues as I wish Alex continued success in his 
future education and career.

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