[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 17110-17111]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING STUDENT RECIPIENTS OF GATES MILLENNIUM SCHOLARSHIP

 Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, today it is my great 
honor to recognize three outstanding Nebraska students who recently 
were named Gates Millennium Scholars by the Bill and Melinda Gates 
Scholarship Foundation.
  David Sanchez-Aparicio, from Oaxaca, Mexico, is the son of Benito and 
Juana Sanchez. Since he was a child, David's scholastic interest has 
been in computer technology. While a student at Lincoln High School in 
Lincoln, NE, David took part in the Information Technology Focus 
Program, specializing in computer programming, networking, and 
multimedia production. David played tennis and ran track, focusing on 
the 800-meter race. David also spent his time working at BryanLGH 
Medical Center in the cafeteria. In addition to rigorous coursework and 
extracurricular activities, David, whose mother passed away 2 years 
ago, has spent much of his high school career helping his father care 
for his younger siblings. David's teachers note that he is a quiet, yet 
diligent student who is dedicated to his studies and his family. David 
will attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the fall where he 
plans to major in computer engineering.
  Codah Gatewood, 18, is the youngest of three children and a member of 
the Navaho, Omaha, and Santee Sioux tribes. His parents are Edison 
Gatewood and Belva Gatewood. Since he was a young boy, Codah's primary 
academic interest has been architecture. As a child, he would create 
intricate buildings with Legos; at Lincoln High School, he learned to 
use computer-aided-design, CAD, in technical design and architecture 
classes before tackling advanced architecture and engineering. Codah 
won an academic letter during his senior year of study for his mastery 
in pre-calculus, differentiated physics, advanced architecture,

[[Page 17111]]

and applied economics. In his free time, Codah volunteers at the Indian 
Center of Lincoln, assisting in powwows and dinners. He also likes to 
experiment with mobile electronics on his car, frequently updating his 
own website with his success in modifications. Codah's teachers 
describe him as a self-reliant and high-ranking scholar. For his 
commitment to academic excellence, Codah has also earned a University 
of Nebraska Davis Scholarship, awarded to the most academically 
talented racial minority students. He will attend the university this 
fall.
  Huong Le, 18, came to Lincoln from Long An, Vietnam, 11 years ago 
with her parents, Vinh Le and Luong Nguyen, and sisters and brother. 
Long An is a small province in the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam. Huong 
spoke very little English when she arrived in Lincoln, but began to 
master the language while a student at Everett Elementary School. Huong 
was nominated for the Gates scholarship by her Lincoln High School 
chemistry teacher, who taught her a rigorous advanced chemistry course 
and saw promise in her passion for science. The following summer, Huong 
participated in a sophisticated research project, coordinated by the 
University of Nebraska, involving organic and biochemical processes of 
insects. While at Lincoln High School, she also played tennis for 4 
years and was a member of the Asian Caucus, Upward Bound, and Youth 
Leadership Lincoln. Huong has also volunteered at the Lincoln Buddhist 
Temple, Lincoln Action Program and United Way. Huong plans to take 
English composition and calculus classes as part of the Summer of 
Promising Scholars Program. Huong will pursue a degree in pharmacy from 
the University of Nebraska.
  The Gates Millennium Scholarships aim to reduce the financial 
barriers for African-American, Hispanic, Native and Asian-Pacific 
students with high academic and leadership promise. They also increase 
representation of minority students in the targeted disciplines. The 
Gates Foundation will pay for the students to attend any college with 
any undergraduate major, and for a graduate education in mathematics, 
science, engineering, education, or library science.
  I am proud to represent these promising young students who are 
dedicated to excellence in the classroom and in the community. I am 
confident that these talented leaders will excel at the University of 
Nebraska and beyond. The city of Lincoln and the State of Nebraska are 
fortunate to have these three students as part of their 
community.

                          ____________________