[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 148 (Thursday, September 29, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MS. GRACE VANDERWAAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 28, 2016

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my constituent, 
Ms. Grace Vanderwaal, an inspiring young woman and this year's winner 
of America's Got Talent.
  Grace is a 12-year-old singer-songwriter from Suffern, New York, who 
started writing music at the age of three when she would make up songs 
with her wireless microphone. She was introduced to ukulele music by a 
family friend, and then decided to use her birthday money from her 11th 
birthday to buy her own ukulele. A true musical prodigy, Grace mastered 
the ukulele within a year, now owning five ukuleles, as well as a piano 
and a saxophone.
  Grace began performing at local establishments for small audiences, 
but had never played before a large crowd until this past summer. She 
shared her amazing talents with the world when she auditioned for 
Season 11 of America's Got Talent and played her original song, ``I 
Don't Know My Name,'' a song about finding who you are and where you 
fit in, while playing the ukulele. Grace impressed the judges so much 
she was sent straight to the ``Live Shows.'' Grace continued 
astonishing audiences, performing original pieces as she advanced in 
each round of the show, and on September 14, was crowned the first 
prize winner, taking home a $1 million prize, a Las Vegas show date, 
and a record contract. Before the Las Vegas show, Grace will return 
home to Suffern for a Saturday, October 1 parade and celebration with 
her family, neighbors, and schoolmates.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize my extremely talented 
constituent, Ms. Grace Vanderwaal, and I urge my colleagues to join me 
in congratulating her on this achievement.

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