[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14246]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        THANK YOU, MARGARET SIMS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 24, 2004

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Margaret 
Sims. Over 1,252 of our soldiers have a new friend in Ms. Sims, who a 
year ago began writing to a soldier she did not know from her hometown 
of Gulf Breeze, FL. At 19 years of age and a rising sophomore at the 
University of West Florida, Margaret epitomizes patriotism in the 
United States. Margaret not only corresponds with many of the troops in 
Iraq on a regular basis in something she calls ``Project 
Appreciation,'' but also stands outside the local grocery store during 
the weekends gathering signatures for ``Thank You'' banners. She has 
been known to gather 400 signatures per banner, sending them to troops 
in places like Tikrit and Kirkuk, as well as making care-packages 
filled with cans of tuna, crackers, and toiletries for a lucky few that 
have become her regular recipients. She has been honored in the 
Pensacola News Journal and throughout the First District of Florida, 
but it is time that she is recognized for her efforts by Congress.
  Patriotism is not only shown by our soldiers in the field but by our 
people at home. Her love for our country and her support of the troops 
is the true essence of patriotism. She shows our men and women in the 
field how valued and supported they are, giving them hope and faith 
from back home. By sending letters and care packages, and by taking the 
time to gather signatures on a banner from people throughout her 
community, Ms. Sims is making a true difference in America, a model 
patriot for all of us to admire.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress I would like to 
thank Margaret Sims for her patriotism and support of our troops. What 
we need in this country are more young men and women like her.

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