[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 10038]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       CONGRATULATING NIA SANCHEZ

 Mr. HELLER. Madam President, I wish to congratulate Nevada's 
own, Nia Sanchez from Las Vegas, on being crowned Miss USA 2014. Nia is 
the first beauty queen in the competition's history to ever win from 
the great State of Nevada, and I am truly honored to congratulate her 
on this great achievement.
  The Miss USA pageant had its start in 1952 as a local ``bathing 
beauty'' competition that transformed into an international and annual 
tradition that has been a part of American history for the past 62 
years. The women who are awarded the crown and named Miss USA are goal-
oriented, knowledgeable and aware of what is going on at home and 
abroad. These characteristics are exemplified in Nia's everyday life, 
as a woman who is constantly seeking to improve the lives of others and 
her local community.
  Nia truly is an example of a person who overcame great obstacles to 
achieve her dreams. When she was 8 years old, she and her mother were 
forced to live in a women's shelter, and that is one of the driving 
forces behind her choice to dedicate her life to serving others. As a 
fourth-degree black belt and instructor, Nia spends her time teaching 
martial arts to women and ``Stranger Danger'' classes to children in 
the community. She also volunteers her time teaching Sunday school at 
the Shade Tree shelter in Las Vegas, which serves the needs of women, 
children, and their pets in Southern Nevada. Her volunteerism within 
the community is just one part of how she serves others. Her service 
extends far beyond our Nation's borders through her travels to work on 
mission trips to Mexico, Thailand, and the Great Wall of China. She is 
an exemplary Nevadan, and we are honored that she calls the Silver 
State home.
  I know the citizens of the Silver State are proud to see a fellow 
Nevadan succeed in making their dream of winning Miss USA come true. 
Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Nia Sanchez on 
this incredible honor and wish her the best of luck as she pursues the 
crown for Miss Universe and serves as a global ambassador.

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