[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 90 (Thursday, May 23, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S3882]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO FLO DAPICE

 Ms. HASSAN. Madam President, I am honored to recognize Flo 
Dapice of Hopkinton as May's Granite Stater of the Month. At just 16 
years old, Flo is working to improve environmental sustainability at 
her school and in her town by leading her school's Environmental Action 
Club efforts and by serving in local government positions.
  Flo's long-time interest in sustainability made her a perfect fit for 
the Environmental Action Club at her high school. She led the club in 
applying for grants from the New Hampshire Energy Education Project and 
the Hopkinton Public Schools Foundation. The club was awarded more than 
$11,000, which allowed it to start a compost program at their school 
for lunch food waste. The club has evaluated the program and already 
found a decrease in how much compostable waste is ending up in the 
trash from last year to this year. Now, Flo and her fellow club members 
are continuing to work to strengthen the program and, in turn, lead to 
less food waste at the school.
  The next project that Flo and the club are planning is a transition 
to using metal silverware in the school's cafeteria, instead of 
disposable plastic utensils. They have already purchased the silverware 
through more grant funding and are recruiting students to help wash the 
extra dishes. Flo is also planning to continue her involvement with the 
New Hampshire Energy Education Project, which works with students and 
teachers to build a deeper understanding of energy and climate; she 
recently helped lead a middle school summit with the program.
  In addition to sustainability efforts at school, Flo has sought out 
additional opportunities for public service so that she can make more 
of a difference. She became interested in local government in middle 
school during the Covid-19 pandemic, and she now serves as one of two 
student representatives on the Hopkinton School Board and as a member 
of Hopkinton's Energy Steering Committee. Her service on the school 
board strengthened her efforts to apply for grants for her school's 
compost program, and on both the School Board and the Energy Committee, 
she has pushed for more ways to reduce carbon emissions.
  Flo's dedication to serving her community through combating climate 
change is a great example of the Granite State spirit of working to 
make a difference, no matter your age. Her passion for bettering her 
school and her town is why I am honored to recognize her as Granite 
Stater of the Month.

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