[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2367]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO FRUITA MONUMENT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2004

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to rise before you today to 
pay tribute to the students of Fruita Monument High School who recently 
devoted their time and efforts toward improving the lives of others. 
Last year, 25 students joined the Committee for a Merry Christmas For 
All to construct, collect and distribute Christmas toys to needy 
children in Colorado. Their actions serve as a valuable model of 
community service, and I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing their tremendous contributions to the State of Colorado 
before this body of Congress and this nation.
  The Committee for a Merry Christmas For All was established 17 years 
ago. Since the committee's beginning, the Grand Junction Free Press 
reports that ``Students have designed and constructed nearly 5,000 toys 
. . . and they've collected another nearly 6,000.'' This past year, 
under the tutelage of their teachers Ed Reid and Mel Crider, the 
students constructed and distributed a variety of toys. On the Saturday 
preceding Christmas, the students and their teachers met at Fruita 
Monument High School and distributed the collection of toys to children 
in need throughout the Grand Junction community. This is an amazing 
group of young citizens, and I am proud to highlight their amazing 
actions here on the floor of the House of Representatives.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a high honor to rise before this body of Congress 
to pay tribute to each member of the Committee for a Merry Christmas 
For All. I would also like to thank their teachers Ed and Mel, who have 
dedicated their time and efforts to make this service possible. These 
efforts have brightened the lives of thousands of needy children in 
Colorado, and the State will forever remain grateful. It is my honor to 
offer my deepest gratitude and appreciation to the Committee and 
School, and I thank them for their service.

                          ____________________