[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5]
[House]
[Pages 6566-6567]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING ALLISON NOVACK FOR BEING NAMED THE TOP OUTSTANDING 
                   SCHOOL YOUTH VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Chu). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) is recognized 
for 5 minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a wonderful 
mission--to recognize a local student, Allison Novack. Allison has 
recently been named the Top Outstanding School Youth Volunteer of the 
Year for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools system. Our 
superintendent of schools, Alberto Carvalho, presented her with this 
impressive award at Miami's Jungle Island earlier this month.
  As a senior at Miami Beach Senior High School, Allison has 
volunteered in numerous capacities. She has served as the president of 
the Miami Beach chapter of the Junior State of America. She has served 
as producer for the nonprofit group 1308 Productions. She is also known 
for her work as part of Sky News and as the creator of the Rock the 
Vote concerts and shows in our area. And I can personally attest, she 
was a fabulous host to my recent congressional visit to Miami Beach 
High.
  As an elected public official, I understand the great effort and the 
personal sacrifice that goes along with trying to make a difference in 
our community. The time that Allison has spent and the care she has 
demonstrated are truly beyond her years. All of us in south Florida are 
fortunate to have someone like Allison who gives so generously of her 
time and energy to our area. This award is yet another shining example 
of how one individual's hard work can make a difference. Allison is an 
inspirational and energetic student leader who has created positive 
results for her school and our greater community.
  Allison's public service has also been recognized by organizations 
such as Voice of America radio as well as many other media and civic 
groups.
  This dedication to civic engagement stems from Allison's family, 
which has a legacy of public service. Allison is the daughter of 
Surfside mayor emeritus Paul Novack. Mayor Novack served as mayor for 
six terms and is himself, also, a graduate of Miami Beach Senior High 
School, the Hi-Tides. Also, Allison's grandmother Mickey Novack served 
as Surfside vice mayor, as president of Women in Government Service, 
WIGS, and as treasurer of several educational and civic organizations, 
including the PTA and Hadassah.
  It is wonderful to see Allison continuing in the family tradition of 
giving back to our community. Her hard work is fundamental in making 
our community better for years to come. With the support of wonderful 
parents like Paul and Denise, I am certain that Allison enjoyed the 
strong family network of support and guidance that is needed to 
accomplish so much for this young woman who is soon to be off going to 
college. Allison's steadfast commitment to public service is a 
testament to her character and to her family. She is a wonderful 
example of

[[Page 6567]]

today's young adults who have the will to affect positive change in our 
community.
  Allison will soon graduate from Miami Beach Senior High School this 
June as an exemplary student who has been a credit to her school and 
our community. Next semester, she will be joining the proud ranks of 
students attending the University of Miami--go Canes--and pursuing a 
degree in communications.
  Again, I congratulate Allison for her recent award as Top Outstanding 
School Youth Volunteer. I also wish her the best as she makes the 
transition to college life, and I look forward to hearing from her 
about her continued work in making this community an even better place 
in which to live. I know that Allison will continue to benefit our area 
in her volunteer work and will be a magnificent addition to the 
University of Miami Canes team.
  Congratulations, Allison. Congratulations to the Novack family.

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