[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 114 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S5149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONGRATULATING ATHENA TUREK-HANKINS AND DANIEL SAFTNER

 Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize two of 
Nevada's brightest students, Athena Turek-Hankins and Daniel Saftner, 
on being selected as 2016 recipients of the Fulbright scholarship.
  The Fulbright Scholar Program was developed shortly after World War 
II by former U.S. Senator James William Fulbright to promote the 
exchange of students in the fields of education, culture, and science. 
Today the program offers 1,900 grants each year for students to study 
in various fields in more than 140 countries worldwide. As a highly 
competitive and prestigious scholarship, thousands of students and 
young professionals apply from across the country. I am proud to 
congratulate these two students on their achievement. These students 
are shining examples of how hard work leads to success, and they stand 
as role models for future members of the Nevada Wolf Pack.
  Ms. Turek-Hankins recently graduated from the University of Nevada, 
Reno, UNR, as an honors student and received her bachelor's degree in 
international affairs with a special emphasis in Middle Eastern 
affairs. She also earned a bachelor's degree in French and a minor in 
philosophy of ethics, law, and politics. Ms. Turek-Hankins will be 
teaching English in Luxembourg this coming fall through the Fulbright 
scholarship and will have the opportunity to expand her knowledge on 
European economics.
  Mr. Saftner received his bachelor's degree from UNR in geology in 
2011. His studies focused more specifically on climate change. He is 
currently pursuing his master's degree from the university in 
hydrogeology from the Graduate Program of Hydrologic Sciences. In 
addition, he spent 2 years in Cameroon, Africa, as a volunteer in the 
Peace Corps. His Fulbright scholarship will allow him the opportunity 
to return to Africa in Niger, West Africa. While there, Mr. Saftner 
will research the variations of groundwater quality in the rural areas 
of Southwest Niger and participate in a global effort to increase 
access to safe drinking water in developing countries.
  Today I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating these 
exceptional young Nevadans. I am proud to have them representing both 
Nevada and UNR as global ambassadors through the Fulbright scholarship. 
These students worked hard for this incredible opportunity, and I wish 
them the best of luck in their future endeavors.

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