[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 18, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1010-E1011]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING CARALINE SEPICH

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 18, 2014

  Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise to 
honor Caraline Sepich, a remarkable woman whose resiliency, dedication 
and talent continue to define her outstanding achievements as a student 
at Arizona State University.
  On August 31, 2003, Caraline and her family suffered a horrific 
tragedy that altered the course of their life. Caraline's sister, Katie 
Sepich, was walking home from a friend's house when she was brutally 
raped and murdered in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The news of this crime 
sent a shockwave across the country and Caraline's family prompted the 
nation to prevent criminals from committing these violent crimes. After 
years of tireless work by Caraline and her family, President Obama 
signed into law the ``Katie Sepich Act,'' which authorizes funding for 
states to collect DNA from detainees arrested on suspicion of serious 
crimes.
  Despite her sister's death, Caraline continues to push forward with 
an unparalleled passion and drive to effect change everywhere she goes. 
Caraline graduated from high school as salutatorian in 2012, and the 
following summer she was a Biofuel Laboratory Intern for the Algal 
Production Project at the Center of Excellence in Carlsbad. Caraline is 
now aggressively pursuing a double major in Biochemistry and Biophysics 
at Arizona State University, is a founding member of the Arizona State 
University BIOMED Team, and is a recent recipient of a Helios 
Scholarship for her work in the Collaborative Sequencing Center at the 
Translational Genomics Research Institute.
  Most recently, Caraline was selected into the prestigious Barrett-
Mayo Clinic Premedical Scholars Program. There she hopes to further her 
understanding of medical research, and to

[[Page E1011]]

one day obtain her doctorate degree in the field.
  Caraline's interest in and commitment to scientific advancement is an 
inspiration to all those who meet her. At the Arizona Science Center 
IMAX Theater, Caraline presented Katie's Law to motivate students and 
demonstrate the ability of one person to make an impact on an entire 
society. It is individuals like Caraline, whose resolute persistence, 
determination and resolve to effect meaningful change who truly define 
our country's values.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to take this moment to recognize and honor 
Caraline Sepich. With her sister forever in her heart, I have no doubt 
that Caraline will continue to accomplish great things in all her 
future endeavors.

                          ____________________