[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18078]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE CHARACTER COUNTS YOUTH FLAG RALLY IN LISLE, ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JUDY BIGGERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 9, 2004

  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a group of young 
constituents in my district whose efforts to recognize September 11 
brought a local community together in collective pride for the United 
States.
  Three years ago, when our Nation was overcome by fear and dismay, 
Katie and Carrie Straub came together with other young people to make a 
difference during the aftermath of our Nation's greatest tragedy. They 
planned a local flag rally to bring youths together to share in their 
grief and honor America's heroes.
  The first rally was an impromptu response to the profound sadness and 
patriotism expressed in the days after September 11, and it caught the 
eyes and ears of a community and its local leaders. Now, with the help 
of many other youths in the community and local businesses, the annual 
rally has grown to incorporate charity fundraising events and has 
become an uplifting day, focused on staying positive and helping others 
in the wake of tragedy.
  The girls sought out and received official approval for the annual 
rally, and this year, September 11, 2004, has been declared Character 
Counts Youth Flag Rally Day in the village of Lisle, Illinois.
  Mr. Speaker, I am so proud of these young constituents. They heard 
the call of the President to stand up in support of our nation in the 
days after September 11, and their dedication and spirited efforts have 
proven once again that teens can make a difference.

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