[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 6, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E691-E692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE U.S. CAPITOL HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S 2013 MAKING DEMOCRACY 
 WORK STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST SENIOR DIVISION WINNER RICHARD ALEC MERSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 6, 2014

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Richard Alec Merski, a 
resident of Virginia's 11th District and the senior division winner of 
the U.S. Capitol Historical Society's 2013 Making Democracy Work 
student essay contest.
  The Historical Society is a congressionally chartered educational 
organization founded in 1962. Its mission is to inform the public about 
the rich heritage of the Capitol and the Congress. This nationwide 
contest is open to all students in two categories: a junior division 
contest for students in grades 6-8 and a senior division contest for 
students in grades 9-12.
  The 2013 contest asked students to consider the rights guaranteed by 
the Constitution and the corresponding duties that citizens owe to 
implement and protect those rights. Essays addressed questions such as 
how these rights and responsibilities affect students, their families, 
and the importance of being aware of one's own rights and 
responsibilities. Students were required to cite sources such as the 
U.S. Constitution, books, and articles from magazines and newspapers. 
Entries were judged on the depth of their content, the mastery of the 
topic, and the skill with which they are written.
  Mr. Merski is a senior at James Madison High School in Vienna, 
Virginia, where he will graduate in June. An Honor Roll student, Alec 
previously attended the Nysmith School in Herndon and Landon School in 
Bethesda. An avid language student, Alec was one of two students at 
Landon taking two languages in addition to his courses. Alec spent two 
summers living with host families in Spain and China in an intensive 
language program to hone his language skills. He was also the recipient 
of the Excellence in Foreign Language Award. He served as the President 
of the China Roundtable of Washington, an annual forum held at the 
Chinese Embassy allowing experts on China to address current economic, 
cultural, and educational changes in China.
  Alec was an active member and officer of Model UN and served as the 
President of the Environmental Club. Last summer, Alec interned with 
the United States-Asia Foundation and the International Trade 
Commission. He plans to major in International Relations and Economics 
when he enters college this fall.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Alec 
Merski on this outstanding achievement and in wishing him all the best 
in his future endeavors. I am confident that this accomplished young 
man will be successful in whatever path he chooses to follow.

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