[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING ELIZABETH TRAN, RECIPIENT OF THE 2012 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT 
                           OF COMMUNITY AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL WEBSTER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 21, 2012

  Mr. WEBSTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Elizabeth Tran 
for exemplary volunteer service. Elizabeth, age 17, of Orlando, has 
been named one of the top honorees in Florida by the 2012 Prudential 
Spirit of Community Awards program, an annual honor conferred on the 
most impressive student volunteers in each State and the District of 
Columbia.
  Elizabeth is a junior at Cypress Creek High School and has raised 
more than $20,000 to support the Children's Miracle Network in the 
first two years of the ``Miss Miracle'' charity pageant, an annual 
event that she created. The ``Miss Miracle'' pageant is conducted in 
cooperation with Teens Go Green, an organization co-founded by 
Elizabeth and dedicated to raising public awareness for protecting the 
environment. All ``Miss Miracle'' contestants raise money to support 
the organization, and those contestants who raise the most are crowned 
``Miss Miracle.''
  The Prudential Spirit of Community Award was created in 1995 by 
Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of 
Secondary School Principals to encourage youth volunteers in their 
contributions to society, to emphasize the value of volunteerism, and 
to inspire other young people to follow their example. Over the past 17 
years, the program has become the Nation's largest youth recognition 
effort based solely on community service, and has involved more than 
100,000 young volunteers at the local, State, and national level.
  It is my pleasure to commend Elizabeth for her energy and initiative 
in seeking to make her community and world a better place to live by 
supporting organizations such as the Children's Miracle Network. Her 
commitment and accomplishment is extraordinary in today's world and 
deserves recognition. Her actions remind us that young Americans can 
play an important role in our communities.
  On behalf of the citizens of central Florida, I am pleased to 
recognize Elizabeth Tran's selflessness and enthusiasm for serving 
others and for making a difference. The kind of altruism evident in 
Elizabeth's efforts represents our brightest hopes for a better 
tomorrow. May her efforts inspire others to follow in her footsteps.

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