[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 5210-5211]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        MILITARY KID OF THE YEAR

  (Mr. WALZ of Minnesota asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WALZ of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. 
Sydney Schmidt.
  Sydney hails from Hayfield, Minnesota, the First Congressional 
District of Minnesota, and was recently named the Military Kid of the 
Year. She is the daughter of Mary Kay and Lieutenant Colonel Brad 
Schmidt and a sister to Dani Schmidt.

[[Page 5211]]

  As a high school teacher and a 24-year veteran of our military, I 
understand how challenging it is for families when parents are deployed 
overseas. We know that when a parent is called to duty, they aren't the 
only ones who serve this Nation. The family serves us as well.
  Sydney maintains a 4.0 grade average, volunteers as a Big Sister, 
tutors elementary students, spends time with senior citizens, and, as 
well, excels at band and sports.
  I applaud Sydney's ability to set an example for her peers, not only 
in Hayfield, but across this country. Sydney's remarkable achievements 
at such a young age are a testament to her passion for community, her 
involvement and her love of country. We honor those achievements and 
the example she has set for others.
  Congratulations to Sydney, all the military kids, families, and 
servicemembers. I and the rest of this Nation thank you for your 
service to America.

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