[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17561]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING AMERICA'S JUNIOR MISS ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 50TH YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 26, 2007

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to America's 
Junior Miss on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of America's Junior 
Miss scholarship program. This year's national finals will be held June 
28, 29 and 30th in Mobile, Alabama.
  America's Junior Miss scholarship program has been vital to young 
women across the United States. Founded in Mobile, Alabama, in 1958, by 
the city's Junior Chamber of Commerce, the program held its first 
national program with 15 states represented. Participants are evaluated 
in five categories: interview, talent, scholastics, self-expression and 
fitness.
  America's Junior Miss aims to promote self-esteem through its ``Be 
Your Best Self'' program. This program, adopted in 1987, is a way for 
Junior Miss participants to share a positive, personal approach to 
young people and help them lead successful and productive lives. The 
program encourages making a commitment to self-improvement with a focus 
on education, community service, proper nutrition, staying fit, living 
by moral principles, setting goals, and striving to reach those goals.
  Since its founding, over $87.7 million has been awarded to over 
700,000 contestants. Last year, more than $2 million was awarded in 
cash scholarships with almost 200 universities and colleges offering 
college-granted scholarships to participants. Former participants in 
the program include Diane Sawyer, Deborah Norville, E.D. Hill, Kim 
Basinger, Dr. Linda Rutledge Delbridge, and Debra Messing.
  It is my sincere hope that America's Junior Miss will continue to be 
a source of inspiration to young women across the United States for 
another 50 years. I rise today to salute this organization and the many 
contributions it has made toward the enrichment of young women across 
the United States.

                          ____________________