[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12947]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO DIANA ZHANG

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                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 31, 2012

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
Diana Zhang for being named a state winner of the Library of Congress's 
Letters about Literature program.
  Letters about Literature is a national reading and writing program 
that is sponsored by the Library of Congress. The program asks students 
to write to the past or present author of a book that has affected 
their life. Approximately 59,000 young readers from across the country 
submitted letters last year to compete for the state-level awards for 
2012.
  A panel of judges that can include published authors, editors, 
publishers, librarians, teachers, and even state officials chose 
Diana's letter as a state winner. Diana wrote a letter to author 
Catherynne M. Valente to explain how Valente's two novel series, The 
Orphan's Tales, affected her life. Valente's acclaimed novels spoke to 
Diana, and now Diana's letter to Valente has earned her recognition in 
her community as well as here in Washington.
  Mr. Speaker, the example set by this young woman demonstrates the 
rewards of harnessing one's talents and sharing them with the world. 
Diana's efforts embody the Iowa sprit and I am honored to represent her 
and her family in the United States Congress. I know that all of my 
colleagues in the United States House of Representatives will join me 
in congratulating her on her achievement and will wish her continued 
success in her future education and career.

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