[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 33 (Thursday, March 1, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO MELISSA HEER

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                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2012

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements 
of Melissa Heer of Ames for receiving a coveted Fullbright award to 
study and conduct research abroad this academic year.
   The Fullbright Program is sponsored by the United States Department 
of State, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs. This program is 
known as America's flagship international exchange program. First 
established by Congress in 1946, the Fullbright Program has served the 
purpose of building mutual understanding between American citizens and 
the rest of the world. Appropriations from the United States Congress, 
participating foreign governments, and private sector contributions 
fund the Fullbright Program. The program has exchanged over a quarter 
of a million people in more than 155 countries, since its inception. 
Melissa's host country for the 2011 2012 academic year is India.
   To receive a Fullbright award is truly a great honor. Recipients of 
this award must demonstrate significant leadership potential in their 
chosen field and are selected on the basis of their academic or 
professional achievement. The experiences provided by this program 
ensure that tomorrow's leaders are both knowledgeable about the world 
and well-rounded.
   Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent future leaders like 
Melissa from the great state of Iowa in the United States Congress. I 
know my colleagues in the United States Congress will join me in 
congratulating her for receiving this prestigious award. I wish her the 
best of luck in her studies and future career.

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