[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 15339-15340]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING MAITHREYI GOPALAKRISHNAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2007

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Maithreyi 
Gopalakrishnan, an eighth grader at Peak to Peak Charter School in 
Superior, Colorado. She recently made the semifinals at the National 
Spelling Bee in Washington, DC. She has been to several spelling bees 
and 2 years ago, finished at an impressive 37th place. At this year's 
National Spelling Bee, Ms. Gopalakrishnan beat out opponents by 
spelling the word salinelle, a mud volcano erupting saline mud--
solidifying her chance to win the contest. The winner of

[[Page 15340]]

the National Spelling Bee receives $35,000, a $5,000 scholarship, a 
savings bond of $2,500 and a set of reference works.
  Two hundred and eighty-six extraordinary students from across the 
Nation train vigorously in preparation for this annual event held at 
the Grand Hyatt Washington hotel. Students are expected to be able to 
spell words such as prioplasmosis and my personal favorite, 
bewusstseinslage, which means a state of consciousness--something my 
critics occasionally accuse me of losing.
  The skills and values that Ms. Gopalakrishnan already displays will 
help her with many challenges that she may face in the future. 
Furthermore, her commitment to learning and competitive drive makes her 
a strong student who is sure to excel in her academic career. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in congratulating Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan in all 
of her accomplishments and wish her success as she continues on her 
quest for knowledge.

                          ____________________