[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 122 (Tuesday, July 13, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S4844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Tribute to Zaila Avant-garde

  Mr. CASSIDY. Madam President, I am here to talk about two things.
  First, let me give a heartfelt congratulations to Zaila Avant-garde, 
this incredible--if we can get the poster up--14-year-old young lady, 
who just won the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
  She is Louisiana's first winner and is the first African-American 
winner of this spelling bee. She dominated, getting words that I don't 
think any of the rest of us would have been able to spell.
  By the way, I should also note that she holds a Guinness World Record 
for dribbling. I am told there is a YouTube video of her dribbling and, 
at the same time, juggling basketballs that is incredible to watch.
  She has a bright future. Zaila shows that hard work and dedication 
bring success.
  This week, Senator John Kennedy and I introduced a resolution 
congratulating Zaila. And Zaila, if you are watching, if you want to do 
it, when you are a little bit older and you want to do an internship in 
a Senate office in the U.S. Senate, please give me a call. Believe me, 
I will remember you.
  And if you wish to do that internship, we are here to encourage you 
as you embark on the rest of your life, a life that is going to be 
incredibly successful.