[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 11177-11178]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             JESSICA BARIS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Jessica Baris, 
a junior member of the American Legion Auxiliary L.D. Lockhart Unit 14 
of Nevada, on her impressive commitment to academic excellence and 
community service.
  It is always an honor to recognize a talented young person, and 
Jessica certainly fits that description. She has given generously of 
her time to many worthy causes, including serving more than 350 hours 
as a student tutor for young children in her community.
  She also has helped organize several charitable events, including a 
fundraiser for Share Our Strength, an organization that fights hunger 
and poverty throughout the world.
  Jessica also organized a clothing drive for needy children abroad. 
Most of the clothing was sent to U.S. serviceman in the Philippines, 
who distributed the items to local children. Her

[[Page 11178]]

efforts not only helped those children, but also afforded our soldiers 
with a great opportunity to build goodwill in an important part of the 
world.
  Jessica also received a grant from the United Way to create a ``Wall 
of Peace'' for Make a Difference Day. By organizing 20 teams of 
students to produce murals, the project spread awareness of the 
importance of tolerance and kindness in her school and community. 
Jessica wrote an essay on this project for the National Endowment for 
the Humanities' Idea of America contest that was recognized by First 
Lady Laura Bush at a White House ceremony.
  She also participated in an essay contest sponsored by the Sons of 
the American Revolution, winning an award for her essay on the 
contributions of the unsung heroes of our Armed Forces.
  Jessica's hard work and dedication to service culminated this year in 
her selection for a $25,000 college scholarship from AXA Financial 
Services. This young woman has tremendous potential, and I expect great 
things from her in the future. Please join me in congratulating Jessica 
Baris on her many impressive achievements.

                          ____________________