[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22434]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRATULATIONS TO MISS CATHERINE CROSBY, MISS ALABAMA 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2003

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, this weekend, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, 
a young lady from my congressional district, Miss Catherine Crosby, 
will represent Alabama in the 2004 Miss America Pageant.
  A native of Brewton, Catherine is the daughter of Larry and Ann 
Crosby. A 1998 graduate of T.R. Miller High School, she subsequently 
received her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Auburn University 
in 2002.
  Catherine was crowned Miss Alabama on the campus of Samford 
University in Birmingham, on June 14, 2003, following a week of 
preliminary competitions. The fifty pageant participants competed in 
four areas of competition: interview, in which she received first place 
honors; swimsuit; evening wear; and talent. As Miss Alabama, Catherine 
regularly receives State and national recognition and was awarded an 
$11,000 scholarship.
  Prior to traveling to Atlantic City, Catherine stopped by my office 
and visited with the other Members of the Alabama Delegation as well. 
She is as charming and talented as she is beautiful, and I could not 
help but be impressed with what she has chosen as her pageant platform, 
``First Vote: America's Freedom to Choose.''
  This message teaches young people about the importance of voting and 
works to instill in them the responsibilities and obligations of being 
good citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, Catherine's message could not come at a better time. I 
trust her words will help open the eyes of many young Americans about 
the right and privilege of voting . . . one of the many freedoms that, 
unfortunately, we all-too-often take for granted in this great country.
  On behalf of an entire State that will be rooting her on and wishing 
her well, I salute Miss Alabama Catherine Crosby. I know she will make 
our entire State--and Nation--proud this Saturday night, and I predict 
we will be hearing much more from this wonderful young lady in the 
months and years to come.

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