[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 47 (Wednesday, April 10, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               COMMENDING THE ANTHONY TELESCA FOUNDATION

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                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 10, 2013

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Anthony 
Telesca Foundation for selflessly working to improve the safety of 
communities in Florida by promoting safe driving habits to Florida's 
teenagers. The organization helps to educate and encourage teenagers to 
drive safely by hosting safety awareness functions with local high 
schools and law enforcement officials.
  In December 2002, 16-year-old Anthony Joseph Telesca passed away as 
the result of a reckless driving incident. As a result of this 
unfortunate and tragic incident, the Anthony Telesca Foundation was 
created to work with local high school and law enforcement officials to 
increase driver safety awareness among teenagers. The Foundation also 
provides scholarships and philanthropic support in order to meet its 
mission of preventing reckless teenage driving and driving accidents, 
injuries, and fatalities.
  Among other activities, the Foundation has hosted events with the 
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and high schools in northern Pinellas 
County, Florida, which I represent, to reward teenagers who have been 
observed practicing safe driving habits. Educating and rewarding 
teenagers to drive safe has helped to prevent needless motor accidents 
from occurring.
  Mr. Speaker, in the decade since the unfortunate passing of Anthony 
Telesca, the foundation that was established in his honor has 
represented the best of the human spirit, and the organization has 
become a shining example of how to turn an unfortunate tragedy into 
something meaningful. The Anthony Telesca Foundation's humanitarian 
efforts and successes exemplify the strength and compassion within 
people, and I commend them for their contributions.

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