[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 5]
[House]
[Pages 6344-6345]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



     YORK COUNTY SCIENCE FAIR WINNERS AND DELTA-CARDIFF VOLUNTEER 
                              FIREFIGHTERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of four of my 
constituents from back home in Pennsylvania who were recently 
recognized for their outstanding achievements. The first two 
constituents are young women who have demonstrated true educational 
excellence in the areas of science and engineering, while the second 
two constituents are gentlemen who have dedicated most of their lives 
to community service.
  It brings me great pleasure to bring the accomplishments of these 
four individuals before the United States House of Representatives and 
our Nation.
  Earlier this year, two students, Jessica Brillhart, a sophomore at 
Dallastown Area High School, and Anne Jensen, a sophomore at York 
Suburban High School, my alma mater, were named co-grand champions in 
the York County Science and Engineering Fair.
  Jessica Brillhart won her prize for a project called ``The Sound of 
Music.'' Jessica picked ten categories of music ranging from classical 
to heavy metal in 20 noises, such as a dog barking, a chandelier 
tinkling, and water rushing.
  She matched each musical style with the noises possessing similar 
sound waves. A survey of 35 individuals then proved that there was, in 
fact, a correlation between the noises that people found pleasing and 
their favorite music.
  Anne Jensen won the co-grand champion status for her project called 
``Haze and Ground Level Ozone.'' Anne constructed a haze monitor to 
measure the amount of sunlight that filters through the atmosphere. She 
determined through calculations based on the results of the monitor 
that haze and the amount of ground-level ozone were not directly 
proportional, contrary to her original hypothesis.
  Nevertheless, the haze monitor turned out to be a very impressive and 
complex piece of machinery.
  Both Jessica and Anne will now be going to California to compete in 
an international science fair against 1,200 other students from 
throughout our Nation, as well as 40 other nations around the world.
  Jessica's and Anne's ingenuity, inventiveness, and imagination are 
certainly worthy of much praise. I proudly congratulate these 
outstanding young citizens on their grand champion success at the York 
County Science and Engineering Fair.
  Mr. Speaker, I also recently had the honor of attending the Delta-
Cardiff Volunteer Fire Company's annual banquet. At that event, I was 
pleased to

[[Page 6345]]

join with the fire company's president, Mr. Bill Griffith, and many 
other citizens there that evening in honoring two dedicated 
individuals, Mr. John Williams and Mr. Ralph Morris, for going above 
and beyond the call of duty.
  John Williams, a retired Federal employee, has served as a member of 
the volunteer fire company for 65 years. That is correct, he has been a 
member of that volunteer fire company for 65 years. During that time, 
he has held just about every office possible: ambulance captain, chief, 
treasurer, and has served as a member of the board of directors. He 
also served as president of the fire company for 20 years.
  Mr. Williams currently serves as an administrative adviser and is 
every bit as active today in the operation of the fire company as he 
has been in the past. He resides in Delta, Pennsylvania, with his wife 
and two grown sons, who are also active volunteers.
  Mr. Speaker, I am also proud to recognize the dedicated service of 
Mr. Ralph Morris, a member of the fire company for 42 years. Mr. Morris 
was born and raised in Delta and has given back many years of service 
to his community. A small business owner for much of his life, Mr. 
Morris also served in various capacities at the fire company. He was 
chairman of the board, captain, and assistant chief.
  It is my understanding that Mr. Morris remains very active and often 
drives the fire truck in responding to emergency calls. I know his wife 
and daughter are very proud of his long record of dedicated public 
service.
  All four of these individuals I have recognized this afternoon would 
probably never ask for this sort of individual attention and 
recognition, but I was moved by the common theme they all share: 
dedication, dedication to reaching a goal and dedication to their 
various efforts.
  In today's fast-paced world, we so often overlook giving such 
deserving citizens who have distinguished themselves through hard work 
a pat on the back. I am pleased to have the opportunity to do just that 
here today in paying tribute to their service to our community and 
their success in their academic endeavors.


               Passage of Unborn Victims of Violence Act

  Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, with my remaining time, I just want to touch 
on one other issue, a very important issue, completely separate, and 
that is to voice my pleasure at the support of this House in the 
passage of H.R. 503, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. I am pleased 
to be a cosponsor of that legislation, was proud to vote in favor of it 
with the majority of my colleagues.
  I can so well remember 5\1/2\ years ago seeing the first ultrasound 
of my son TJ, who will turn 5 next month, at 10 weeks in utero; and 
that picture from that ultrasound remains on my desk today as the first 
picture of our child; not of a fetus but our child. I am delighted with 
the success of H.R. 503.

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