[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6493]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING SOPHIA GREENWALT OF MISSOURI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILLY LONG

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 9, 2012

  Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Sophia 
Greenwalt, a truly outstanding young Missourian.
  Sophia is a seventh grade student at Reeds Spring Middle School in 
Reeds Spring, Missouri. She was recently honored by the American Red 
Cross with their Everyday Hero Award for her charitable activities.
  While in sixth grade, Sophia came up with a plan to help others. In 
consultation with her mother, Nettie Greenwalt, teachers and school 
district administrators, she received approval to create the Helping 
Hats program for students in the Reeds Spring school district. The 
Helping Hats program grants students the privilege to wear hats to 
school once a month for a one-dollar fee. The fees collected from the 
Helping Hats program are distributed to local charities monthly. 
Currently, the program has collected over $13,000 for local charitable 
organizations. Sophia's endeavors are a truly exemplary investment in 
our community.
  On May 22, 2011, an EF 5 tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, devastating 
the once quiet Missouri town. Based on Sophia's efforts, the Helping 
Hats program was able to raise more than $8,000 to donate to the Joplin 
school district to help with recovery and rebuilding.
  Sophia has also been honored for her outstanding charitable 
activities by the Missouri House of Representatives and the Reeds 
Spring Board of Education. I would like to add my voice to the growing 
choir praising the accomplishments of this truly exceptional young 
woman.
  I am proud and humbled by the accomplishments of Sophia Greenwalt and 
look forward to following her future in the 7th Congressional District 
of Missouri.

                          ____________________