[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 78 (Thursday, June 2, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO NATHAN HIDAJAT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 2, 2011

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nathan Hidajat. 
Nathan, a second grader from Ames, Iowa, was recently selected as one 
of 40 regional finalists out of 107,000 entries submitted to Google's 
nationwide ``Doodle 4 Google'' competition.
  The competition's theme, ``What I'd like to do someday . . .'', 
challenged all 107,000 entries to uniquely describe how they will spend 
their days in the future. However, Nathan's humbling idea for Google 
focuses on helping others around the world. Nathan's dream: To raise 
money for clean water in developing nations.
  After viewing a video from a non-profit charity earlier in the year 
about the lasting effects of contaminated water around the world, 
Nathan organized a drive to help raise money to assist the efforts. 
Shortly after, Nathan heard about the ``Doodle 4 Google'' competition 
and saw this as a way to further expand his efforts by drawing a 
picture depicting a story about clean water in the world intertwined 
with the famous Google logo.
  All 40 finalists have now been invited to New York City, where the 
national winner will be announced. The champion will win a $15,000 
college scholarship and a $25,000 technology grant for his or her 
school.
  I wish to commend Nathan on his artistic talents and desire to make 
the world a better place for those who are the most vulnerable. I know 
that my colleagues in the United States Congress will join me in 
congratulating Nathan in being chosen as a top 40 finalist in this 
competition. It is an honor to have Nathan in my district, and I wish 
him the best of luck as the competition moves forward.

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