[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9348]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF JENA IRENE ASCIUTTO, MALAYA WATSON, AND SAM WOOLF FOR 
  THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES ON AMERICAN IDOL'S THIRTEENTH SEASON

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 30, 2014

  Mr. PETERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise with pride to recognize 
three outstanding students, with Michigan roots, whose vocal talent 
earned them spots in the coveted finals of American Idol for its 
thirteenth season.
  For more than a decade, teens from across America have been using the 
stage of this great competition to share their musical gifts with 
people across our country. American Idol has been the proving ground 
for many young vocal artists who have gone on to make careers in the 
extremely competitive music industry. This year, Jena Irene Asciutto of 
Farmington Hills, Malaya Watson of Southfield and Sam Woolf, originally 
of West Bloomfield, have demonstrated the incredible talent that exists 
amongst the youth of Michigan's Fourteenth Congressional District and 
the Greater Detroit area.
  Paying homage to the incredible vocal talent of Detroit's past, 
Malaya Watson began her journey on American Idol by singing Ain't No 
Way from Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul. As the daughter of a 
professional guitar player, an active member of Detroit's Mosaic Youth 
Theater, and a tuba player in her high school marching band, it is 
clear that Malaya's passion for music began at a young age and is a 
significant part of her life. Having made it to the final eight 
contestants, Malaya is one of the youngest finalists in American Idol 
history.
  Sam Woolf, who spent his early years growing up in West Bloomfield, 
comes from a family with a long history of musical talent. Sam's great-
grandfather, Sammy Woolf, was a well-known bandleader in Detroit, and 
his uncle, Randall Woolf, is a composer. Sam's great-uncle was a 
particularly prominent musician in Greater Detroit's Jewish community. 
With his top-five finish in this year's American Idol competition, Sam 
has undoubtedly made his family, the community of West Bloomfield and 
his current neighbors in Bradenton, Florida proud.
  For Jena Irene Asciutto, this year's American Idol competition has 
been a magical ride--one that took her all the way to the finale. It is 
clear that Jena Irene's love and passion for music began long before 
her American Idol debut. From age 12 to 16, Jena Irene was an active 
member of the band Infinity Hour and has been an annual participant in 
her school's Coffee House talent show. As she prepares to graduate from 
North Farmington High School, Jena Irene's outstanding performances on 
American Idol have brought great pride to her family, her friends and 
to many across the State of Michigan and our Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, again, it is a pleasure to rise and recognize the 
outstanding talent of Jena Irene Asciutto, Malaya Watson and Sam Woolf, 
who have inspired aspiring young vocalists from across the country to 
hone their vocal talents and pursue their dreams. I join their family, 
friends, and many in the Greater Detroit community in expressing pride 
in their accomplishments and wishing them ongoing success as they 
continue to pursue their dreams.

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