[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 88 (Monday, June 9, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING SRIRAM HATHWAR

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM REED

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 9, 2014

  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, S-T-I-C-H-O-M-Y-T-H-I-A. Stichomythia.
  Mr. Speaker, this is the word that Sriram Hathwar spelled correctly 
to win the 2014 Scripps National Spelling Bee. I rise today to 
recognize and congratulate Sriram on this incredible accomplishment.
  Sriram, an eighth-grade student at the Alternative School for Math 
and Science in Corning, New York, participated in the National Spelling 
Bee this year for the fifth time. In his final year of eligibility, 
Sriram outlasted 279 other contestants and was declared co-champion 
after correctly spelling twelve ``championship words.'' As he 
progressed through the competition, Sriram appeared unfazed by the 
increasingly difficult words that were presented to him. He displayed 
impressive levels of composure, confidence and determination throughout 
the competition, which propelled him to victory.
  After diligently studying the roughly 470,000 words in the Merriam-
Webster Dictionary, Sriram successfully spelled some of the most 
challenging words in the English language. The amount of preparation 
and training Sriram completed in preparation of this competition 
exemplifies his unrelenting dedication to learning.
  In addition to his proficiency at spelling difficult words, Sriram's 
display of humility and sportsmanship throughout the competition was 
commendable. Upon being named co-champion, Sriram recognized his fellow 
contestants by stating that the competition was ``against the 
dictionary, not against each other.''
  Sriram Hathwar is a source of inspiration within my congressional 
district and across the country. I am proud of his success in the 
Scripps National Spelling Bee and confident that he will build upon 
this experience to accomplish great things in the future.

                          ____________________