[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 23]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 32096]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING JAKOB GREGORY-STRAMIELLO OF SPRING HILL, FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 4, 2007

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam speaker, I rise today to 
recognize an outstanding young leader, Jakob Gregory-Stramiello, a 7th 
grade student at Gulf Coast Academy of Science and Technology. At 12 
years old, Jakob has found a unique way to help veterans in his 
community and has done something that all patriotic Americans can 
admire; give back to the men and women who fight to preserve our rights 
and freedoms around the world.
  This past semester, Jakob's social studies class was assigned a 
project inspired by the Pay It Forward Foundation. Pay it forward is a 
philosophy started by Catherine Ryan Hyde that claims if we help a few 
individuals, and they in turn help a few more individuals, pretty soon, 
a great many people have been helped.
  Jakob was inspired by this program to take a stake in this world and 
change it for the better. This kind of selflessness is to be commended 
among young adults and is a testament to what is possible when we give 
children the skills and confidence they need to make a difference.
  Madam Speaker, Jakob has a special place in his heart for the 
nation's veterans. Over the years, his family has contributed a great 
deal to our Nation's armed forces. Both his mother and his grandfather 
are former servicemembers. And for this reason, perhaps more than most, 
Jakob is acutely aware of the challenges faced by our returning 
servicemembers.
  Jakob knows that despite their limitless contributions to ensuring 
this nation's freedoms, veterans throughout Florida still appreciate 
the support of their neighbors. With the holidays right around the 
corner, Jacob set out to make sure he could help meet the needs of less 
fortunate veterans and their families.
  With supplies donated by Comfort Systems Heating and Air 
Conditioning, and a considerable amount of time and teamwork, Jakob 
made angel necklaces to sell around his community. Pricing the 
necklaces at $1 each, Jakob soon had enough money to make a sizable 
contribution to the veteran's action project of Hernando County. This 
veteran organization performs outstanding outreach to the veterans of 
Hernando County, including their drive to provide thanksgiving food 
baskets to local veterans who need them.
  Madam Speaker, Congress should take a moment to recognize Jakob's 
efforts, because I believe we can all take a cue from his leadership 
and a lesson from his ingenuity. This remarkable young man has used the 
only assets at his disposal, his determination and his creativity, to 
provide the most he could for his fellow Americans. In doing so, Jakob 
Gregory-Stramiello has made a mighty difference for the veterans of 
Hernando County and I am grateful for his efforts.

                          ____________________