[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 97 (Wednesday, June 17, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E913]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING SABRINA SAINTIL FOR RECEIVING THE 2015 CONGRESSIONAL AWARD 
                               GOLD MEDAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 17, 2015

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a young leader 
from Northeast Florida who has been selected as a winner of the 2015 
Congressional Gold Medal Award. Sabrina Saintil has shown incredible 
dedication in completing the rigorous challenges that the Gold Medal 
demands. She has set and achieved goals in volunteer public service, 
personal development, physical fitness, and exploration. Ms. Saintil 
and her comrade, Jessica Ocampo, are the first two Gold Medal 
recipients from my district, and I could not be more proud to recognize 
both of them.
   Ms. Saintil is a recent graduate from Fletcher High School who is 
planning on attending the University of South Florida to study 
international business in the fall. This promising young woman took on 
and directed the after school program at the Beaches Habitat Education 
Department. She has shown incredible passion, not only in her pursuit 
of education, but also in her work to better the greater Jacksonville 
community.
   As a part of the exploration requirement for the Award, Ms. Saintil 
planned and went on a historical journey that began in Savannah, 
Georgia. From there, she ventured through the historic downtown section 
of the city and proceeded to Koinonia Farms, the birthplace of Habitat 
for Humanity. She then travelled to President Jimmy Carter's home in 
Plains, Georgia, followed by a trip to Global Village, a model village 
containing various types of homes built in Habitat for Humanity 
communities worldwide. Her last stop on the historical exploration was 
the Kingsley Plantation back in Jacksonville.
   I am so proud of what this young woman has accomplished. When I look 
at all that she has done, I am not worried about the future of this 
great nation, for we will surely have great people to lead it. I would 
also like to take this time to recognize Kathy Christensen from Habitat 
for Humanity, who served as Ms. Ocampo's and Ms. Saintil's adult 
advisor and has been essential to the success of this program in 
Jacksonville. Thank you, Ms. Christensen, for all that you do and for 
your constant assistance and support.
   I first met Ms. Saintil back in 2012, and since then she has grown 
both as an individual and as member of the Jacksonville community. I 
could not be happier with Ms. Saintil's success in receiving the 
Congressional Gold Medal Award, as it stands as proof of a culmination 
of years of hard work and sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, please join me in 
congratulating this young leader of Northeast Florida.

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