[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6875]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                               JUAN MEJIA

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am pleased to recognize Juan 
Mejia for his achievement in becoming the Tulare County spelling bee 
champion and his entrance into the prestigious National Spelling Bee in 
Washington D.C.
  Juan was born in Guzman, Mexico and moved to the United States when 
he was a year and a half old. He learned English while attending pre-
school at a Head Start Program at Sundale School. Continuing on to Kohn 
Elementary he distinguished himself as a bright and motivated student 
and was accepted into the GATE program for gifted students. Now at Live 
Oak Middle School he continues to excel in his studies and extra-
curricular activities.
  Juan Mejia's achievement in the Tulare County Spelling Bee is 
particularly notable because of his late introduction to the English 
language. By working hard and using all available resources, Juan 
overcame an educational barrier to become a master of the English 
language. For his focus, fortitude and determined work, I congratulate 
him and wish him the best of luck in the National Spelling Bee in 
Washington D.C. Regardless of the outcome in the National Spelling Bee, 
Juan Mejia is a tremendous success and a worthy example of how 
challenges can be met and overcome with focused effort and 
perseverance.

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