[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 578]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO ERICA MARIE D'AQUIN

 Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, today I recognize Ms. Erica Marie 
d'Aquin, a bright and talented young Louisianian.
  Each year since 1743, the carnival celebration known as Mardi Gras, 
French for Fat Tuesday, has been celebrated by the people of New 
Orleans. The season officially begins on January 6, the Twelfth Night 
of Christmas and the Feast of the Epiphany. Also recognized in many 
countries around the world with large Roman Catholic populations, Mardi 
Gras is the final blow out party prior to the ritual fasting of the 
Lenten Season, which begins on Ash Wednesday.
  Over the many decades that New Orleanians have celebrated Mardi Gras, 
``krewes'', or private Mardi Gras social organizations, have also 
contributed to the merriment and glee surrounding the festive season. 
In Greek mythology, Endymion was known for his everlasting youth and 
beauty. In 1966, the Krewe of Endymion was established and has annually 
paraded through the streets of New Orleans. Today, Endymion is known 
for being the largest parade in New Orleans, both for the number of 
members--2300--and also for the number of floats. This krewe has meant 
a lot to me since I had one of my first jobs as a high school student 
painting Endymion's floats--white primer only, as I wasn't trusted with 
colors.
  During this, the Krewe of Endymion's 46th year, Ms. Erica Marie 
d'Aquin will reign as queen. Ms. d'Aquin is a senior at Archbishop 
Chapelle High School and is on the distinguished honor roll. She is a 
member of the National Art Honor Society, is a member of the pro-life 
club, has a fond love for art, and is very active in the Chapelle 
Animal Rescue Effort to promote the awareness of issues affecting 
animals. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daryl d'Aquin and the 
granddaughter Mr. and Mrs. Edmond J. Muniz, the founder and captain of 
the Krewe of Endymion.
  It is exciting for such an accomplished young person to have this 
honor and will be something she will cherish for a lifetime. She joins 
a long line of family members who have also had the honor of serving as 
queen of Endymion: her mother Mary in 1984, her aunt Michelle in 1986, 
and her aunt Margie in 1991.
  As we celebrate the 2012 Mardi Gras season, it is my pleasure to 
honor Ms. Erica d'Aquin as the 46th queen of the Krewe of 
Endymion.

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