[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16001]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF BRITTANY ATKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2003

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Brittany Amber 
Atkins of Smyrna, Tennessee, for being chosen as the National Exchange 
Club Youth of the Year.
  Brittany recently graduated from Battle Ground Academy with a 4.1 
GPA. Her list of accomplishments while in high school are long. Among 
the honors and awards Brittany has received are Tennessee District 
Youth of the Year for the National Exchange Club, Brentwood Exchange 
Club Youth of the Year, Helen and Ralph Brown School Spirit Award, 
Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award, President's 
Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence, Music Medal, Drama Medal and 
Harvard Book Award.
  Brittany was also involved in a host of extracurricular activities, 
including Student Council, Leadership Council, Speech and Debate, 
plays, choirs, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Spanish Club, 
Key Club and Dance Team.
  While her awards and extracurricular activities contributed to 
Brittany becoming the National Exchange Club Youth of the Year, I found 
her essay, ``America's Young Patriots: Believing and Achieving for a 
Better America,'' to be most impressive. She writes, ``America's future 
rests in the hearts, dreams, and preparations of these young patriots--
no matter race, religion, place of residence, or economic status. It is 
through the beliefs and achievements of today's youth that America will 
thrive in the future.'' Brittany believes patriotism is found within 
the unlimited opportunities for one's education, profession and service 
to his or her community.
  Brittany concludes her essay by pledging to ``concentrate on service 
before reward, to introduce problems with solutions, and when 
encountering conflict, to interject love and humor.'' I commend 
Brittany for her many accomplishments and awards, and wish her the best 
of luck in future endeavors.

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