[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING AALIYAH COLE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 11, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. 
Aaliyah Cole, a dedicated student, who is making a difference in her 
community.
  On a crisp winter day in December of 1994, Aaliyah Cole was born to 
Biven and Beatrice Cole. She grew quickly both physically and 
intellectually. At the age of two, she was able to read children's 
books on her own. In September of 1999, her little brother, Biven Cole 
Jr., was born. They grew together as siblings and companions. As a 
young girl she began to set her sights high on accomplishing things 
bigger than herself. She was motivated, determined, and driven to make 
a difference and dream big.
  Throughout her years in school, Aaliyah has maintained exceptional 
academic records backed by outstanding leadership roles and giving 
dynamic service to her community. In the second grade, she wanted to be 
the Valedictorian of her graduating class and she accomplished that. 
She has held three state officer positions--State President, State 
Secretary, and State Treasurer-in the Technology Student Association 
and she is also the current chairman of her high school yearbook 
committee. She received several leadership awards for her leadership 
abilities.
  Aaliyah has served her community, since she was a little girl, 
whether it was recycling plastics and aluminums, hosting voter 
registration drives, or visiting the community nursing home, she has 
always found urgency in making a difference in the world and in 
people's lives.
  In March of 2011, Aaliyah launched her very own organization by the 
name of Team M.A.W.M.A.C. (Make a Wave, Make a Change), an organization 
designed to raise awareness about the many things that plague 
communities around the world. With this organization, she held a Teens 
for Jeans drive which helped her school to collect 152 pairs of blue 
jeans to donate to homeless teens around the world. They also plan to 
cultivate her school flower beds on Earth Day this April, 2013.
  Upon completing high school, Aaliyah plans to further pursue her 
dream of making a difference by attending either the University of 
Southern Mississippi or Xavier University of Louisiana. There she will 
pursue a degree in Biochemistry/Pre-Medicine, to later attend medical 
school and become a licensed Pediatric Neurologist. She also plans to 
open her own private practice. During her career, she plans to help 
rebuild the Jefferson County community by renovating their schools and 
seek businesses to invest the area. She also dreams about creating a 
scholarship program that will give African American students in 
underprivileged communities like her hometown greater funds to assist 
students with paying for college.
  Aaliyah likes to live by this motto: ``When you have big dreams don't 
listen to what nobody says that is trying to turn you away. When you 
have big dreams, keep your eyes on the prize and don't fall by the 
wayside; reach for the sky.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a talented 
student, Ms. Aaliyah Cole, for her zeal in actively making a difference 
in her community.

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