[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5839]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO MATAYA HULING

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                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2008

  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker I rise today to honor a great achievement 
by a young American from Garner, Iowa. This Sunday, April 13, Mataya 
Huling will be presented with The Girl Scout Gold Award. This is the 
highest achievement possible within the Girl Scouts of the United 
States of America.
  According to the Girl Scouts, the Gold Award project is the 
culmination of all the work a girl puts into ``going for the Gold.'' It 
is something that a girl can be passionate about--in thought, deed, and 
action. The project is something that fulfills a need within a girl's 
community (whether local or global), creates change, and hopefully, is 
something that becomes ongoing. The project is more than a good service 
project--it encompasses organizational, leadership, and networking 
skills.
  This award is certainly very prestigious, as last year only 5.4 
percent of all eligible Girl Scouts received the Gold Award.
  According to the Garner Leader and Signal newspaper, Mataya's Gold 
project was to redo the Garner-Hayfield High School Drama Department 
prop room. Mataya has been actively involved in drama programs since 
her days in junior high school. She worked 80 hours to organize, clean, 
repair and properly store props, costumes and materials used by the 
drama department.
  Previously Mataya earned the Girl Scout Silver Award by planning and 
presenting several bike safety workshops for younger troop members and 
pre-school age children.
  Along with her dedication to Girl Scouts, Mataya is involved in 
countless other activities in her school and community including 
chorus, band, GAP Teen Council, golf, and has volunteered teaching 
Sunday Bible School at St. Paul Lutheran Church.
  Mataya is a shining example of the dedication, determination and 
faith present in today's youth and their promise as tomorrow's leaders. 
I am proud to represent Mataya and her parents, Mark and Missy, in the 
United States Congress. I know that all of my colleagues will join me 
in not only congratulating Mataya but also recognizing that maybe one 
day in the not too distant future we will see Congresswoman Mataya 
Huling serving in this historic institution.

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