[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17997]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO ANNE MARIE PEDERSON

 Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I pay tribute to one of Kentucky's 
most benevolent humanitarians. Ann Marie Pederson, a graduate student 
at the University of Louisville, volunteers in the English-as-a-second-
language, ESL, program through Kentucky Refugee Ministries. Through 
this program, Anne Marie works with refugees from over 25 different 
nationalities and ethnic groups throughout Kentucky.
  Kentucky Refugee Ministries is a refugee resettlement office for the 
Episcopal Migration Ministries and Church World Service. The 
organization assists refugees legally admitted to the United States as 
victims of persecution for religious or political belief. Anne Marie 
became involved with Kentucky Refugee Ministries after volunteering 
with a similar program in Jordan in 2000. Anne Marie, a rhetorician and 
composition graduate student at the University of Louisville, also 
obtained a master's degree in creative writing from George Mason 
University. Remarkably, English is her only language.
  In one of her assignments, Anne Marie assisted a Bosnian family in 
accomplishing basic daily activities like shopping, driving, and 
setting up bank accounts. She also taught English conversation skills 
to two sisters from a Congolese refugee camp. Anne Marie is a mentor to 
refugee children from Kosovo, Mexico, and Jordan, serving as both a 
friend and a teacher.
  Her generosity and kindness has improved the lives of refugees in 
countless ways. Her patience, instruction, and friendship is an example 
for us all. Anne Marie Pederson is an exemplar of charity and a tribute 
to Kentucky. I thank the Senator for allowing me to recognize Anne 
Marie Pederson and voice her praises. She is Kentucky at its 
best.

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