[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 10, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H2263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING CHAMPION OF THE WEEK RIYA HEGDE

  (Mrs. SYKES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. SYKES. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Riya Hegde as 
Ohio's 13th Congressional District Champion of the Week.
  Riya is an extraordinary student from the Western Reserve Academy in 
Hudson, who has taken it upon herself to break down barriers and pave 
the way for the next generation of female coders.
  She recently founded Python Pals, which strives to teach young girls 
and women about the computer coding program Python. This group not only 
teaches invaluable coding skills but will also instill confidence and 
courage in her peers to pursue a career in coding.
  As a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, we 
often talk about the ``missing million,'' the 1 million STEM workers 
from diverse gender, racial, and geographic backgrounds that we need to 
fill our Nation's open jobs in the STEM fields.
  Programs like Riya's are critical to filling the missing million by 
creating safe, supportive spaces for girls to learn how to code, so 
they have the skills they need to pursue careers in STEM and showing 
how Ohio's 13th Congressional District is leading the way.
  Riya's initiative shows strength and courage by challenging 
stereotypes and opening doors for girls who may have once felt excluded 
from a career path once dominated by men.
  I thank Riya for using her voice to uplift and encourage women and 
girls in Ohio's 13th District to pursue their interest in STEM. She has 
proved age is no barrier in making a significant impact in the world 
around us.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Riya on being named Ohio's 13th District 
Champion of the Week.

                          ____________________