[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8830]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                        A TRIBUTE TO TONY AMAYA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 21, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like a moment to recognize and 
thank a Delta, Colorado resident who has made sure that students who 
are having difficulty in school get the help and support they need. Mr. 
Tony Amaya serves as the risk coordinator for the Delta County Joint 
School Task Force and the liaison coordinator for the 21st Century 
Learning Program.
  Tony lived in Tijuana, Mexico until he was eight years old. His 
family then migrated to the United States. Tony spent much of his free 
time learning English. He got involved in sports where he eventually 
competed in wrestling. His dream was to qualify for the Olympics. In 
1990 a Mexican international coach recruited him. He then traveled all 
over the world and took third in the Pan American Wrestling 
Championships.
  After serving as a law enforcement officer for both the Montrose 
Sheriffs Department and the Montrose Police Department, Tony became the 
at-risk coordinator for the Delta County Joint School District. His job 
involves speaking to students who are not having a good school 
experience. He also works with parents and administrators to help 
students with their academic needs and to find and resolve the problem 
to keep students in school. ``Life is what you make of it. If you work 
hard, stay away from drugs and bad companions you can follow your 
dream,'' said Tony in a Delta Tribune article.
  In March, 2001, Tony was the Hispanic motivational speaker at Lincoln 
Elementary and Delta Middle School. He spoke to students about the 
dangers of drinking, smoking, using drugs and disrupting their 
education. ``Be proud of who you are and don't forget your Spanish . . 
. You are our future--our doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc.''
  Mr. Speaker, his hard work and dedication has made Tony Amaya a role 
model for all the young people of his community, and especially for the 
Hispanic youth of the community. I would like to thank Tony for all 
that he has done and wish him the best of luck in the future.

                          ____________________