[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5749]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING ALEXANDRA HOLDERMAN AND KARVA VAIDYANATHAN FOR THEIR 
                      EXEMPLARY VOLUNTEER SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHRIS CHOCOLA

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 30, 2004

  Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr Speaker, I rise today to congratulate two of my 
constituents for receiving recognition by the ninth annual Prudential 
Spirit of Community Awards; Alexandra Holderman of Mishawaka, Indiana, 
and Karva Vaidyanathan of Granger, Indiana. These awards constitute 
America's largest youth recognition program based exclusively on 
volunteerism. The program was created by Prudential Financial in 
partnership with the National Association of Secondary School 
Principals in 1995 to impress upon all youth volunteers that their 
contributions are critically important.
  Alexandra was named one of the top two youth volunteers in Indiana 
for 2004. She will be honored at the national awards ceremony in 
Washington, DC, this coming May. Nominated by LaSalle Elementary 
School, Alexandra has collected and delivered more than 1,200 bundles 
of baby clothing, blankets, diapers, and other supplies over the past 
five years for infants born to needy single and teen-age mothers.
  Karva has been named a Distinguished Finalist by the program's 
judges, and will receive a bronze medallion for her outstanding 
volunteer work. Karva collected 25 cartons of school supplies and 
$3,000 to purchase computers for orphans attending a vocational 
training school in India.
  I am proud of the work accomplished by Alexandra and Karva, and I 
commend them for taking an active role in their communities. They have 
demonstrated a level of commitment and accomplishment that is truly 
extraordinary in today's world, and they deserve our sincere admiration 
and respect. Their actions show that young Americans can--and do--play 
important roles in our communities, and that America's community spirit 
continues to hold tremendous promise for the future.

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