[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Pages 10331-10332]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO STEVEN NALLEY

  Mr. LOTT. Madam President, today I rise to salute Stephen Matthew 
Nalley from Starkville, MS, for his outstanding achievement in this 
year's national spelling bee. Stephen finished in second place after 
spelling words such as ``altricial,'' ``muliebral'' and ``sericeous.'' 
He endured ten rounds, defeating 248 other spellers between the ages of 
9 through 15.
  The Louisville Courier-Journal started the national spelling bee in 
1925 with only 9 contestants. Scripps Howard News Service assumed 
sponsorship in 1941. This year Steven and 249 other participants helped 
celebrate the 75th Annual Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee held 
here in Washington, D.C.
  Steven was born with a particular type of autism that impairs social 
interaction and contributes to repetitive behavior patterns. 
Fortunately, he has been able to work with his disability and use it to 
his advantage. Quoting his mother, Barbara Nalley, ``He's mildly 
autistic, but he's channeled that into his spelling.''
  Steven's accomplishment serves as a reminder to us all that we can 
accomplish astonishing things when we are

[[Page 10332]]

willing to put in great time and effort for them. Steven's approach to 
adversity is to not back down, but rather to fight until he has 
conquered all obstacles and achieved his objective. I find this 
attribute of his remarkably inspiring.
  Not only am I highly impressed with Steven's workmanship as an 
outstanding speller, but he also is a straight A student and a member 
of his school's honor society. He exemplifies a hard working young man 
and is a great asset for Mississippi.
  I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating Steven on his 
tremendous accomplishment and wishing him the best in all of his future 
endeavors. Congratulations, Steven.

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