[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E39]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO SAN CLEMENTE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR COURTNEY SMITH

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                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 18, 2012

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual whose dedication and contributions to the community of San 
Clemente, California are exceptional. Courtney Smith is an exceptional 
young woman and on February 23, 2012, Courtney will receive a 
prestigious honor when the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce names her 
the 2012 Citizen of the Year at the organization's annual awards and 
installation dinner at the Talega Golf Club.
  Courtney is the 15-year-old daughter of Christina and Jeff Smith, 
sister to Amy and Andrew, and sister-in-law to Bobby. Courtney Faye 
Smith was born with a genetic disorder called Spinal Muscular Atrophy; 
it is a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy. She has never been able to 
walk and has been driving a wheelchair since she was four years old and 
has a service dog, Michaela. Her body is in pain every single day of 
her life, but you would never know it or hear her complain. Through it 
all, she always remains light in heart and spirit.
  Courtney is a freshman at San Clemente High School and is currently 
receiving straight A's. Besides choir, all of her classes are Advanced 
Academic. She is extremely social and attends every football game as 
well as school plays. She adores singing and is currently saving to go 
to Hawaii with her high school choir `Acapella' to perform over spring 
break.
  Courtney loves to sew and loves fashion design. She is contemplating 
the idea of going to college to become a costume designer. She also 
enjoys horseback riding, which she has done since the age of four and 
has won several blue ribbons. She also loves to train dogs and hopes to 
help train service dogs in the future. Courtney has been a Muscular 
Dystrophy Ambassador for close to 10 years and a Make-A-Wish Ambassador 
for 7 years.
  Courtney is very humble; she never asks for anything, and despite 
life's challenges, she is happy and content with life. She loves her 
family dearly and they treasure her. This is a special year for 
Courtney, as she will see one of her dreams come to fruition, with the 
development of ``Courtney's SandCastle.''
  The idea for ``Courtney's SandCastle'' was cultivated because, as 
most kids do, Courtney always wanted to play on playgrounds as a little 
girl. Her mom knew it was next to impossible, so they would drive to 
Los Angeles in order to play on an accessible playground where, amongst 
other things, she could reach the sandbox from her wheelchair and 
actually swing on the swing set by herself, safely buckled in. 
``Courtney's SandCastle'' is a universal playground, which was 
developed as a part of the Vista Hermosa/La Pata Community Park. It 
will serve special needs children and adults as well as able-bodied 
children. Special recreational equipment will also be available to 
handicapped veterans. Along with many amazing and supportive community 
members, Courtney has remained tenacious and followed this project 
through after almost 10 years to ensure that ``Courtney's SandCastle'' 
is completed.
  In light of all Courtney has done for the community of San Clemente, 
the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce named Courtney their Citizen of 
the Year. I am humbled by the composure and tenacity of this young 
woman who has faced more challenges in her life than many of us will in 
our entire lifetime. I know that many community members are inspired 
and grateful for Courtney's service and I join them in saluting her as 
she receives this prestigious award.

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