[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Pages 3054-3055]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              CONGRATULATING LAURA HARRIS AND TRINITY RICH

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I am pleased to have this opportunity to 
once again acknowledge the youth volunteers of my home State. I am 
never surprised but always impressed by what they can achieve--from 
reaching the rank of Eagle Scout to earning Gold Medals from the 
Congressional Awards program and so much more. Today I would like to 
share the achievements of those who are being recognized by the 20th 
Annual Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. I couldn't be more proud 
of them all for their heartfelt commitment to the future of Wyoming, 
the West and our Nation.
  For the past 20 years, the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards has 
been our Nation's largest youth recognition program for volunteer 
service. Each year, the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards selects 
two volunteers who have achieved extraordinary results in their work to 
help those in their neighborhoods who need their support. Nominations 
can be made by school or community organizations or any one of several 
other groups. Nominees then have their accomplishments judged by a 
panel which is tasked with the tremendously difficult job of selecting 
the winners.
  This year, Wyoming's two youth volunteers who are receiving this 
special honor are Laura Harris, 17, of Green River and Trinity Rich, 
11, of Douglas. They will each receive an award, an engraved medallion 
and a trip to Washington, D.C.
  Laura has quite a remarkable story to tell. When she was born she was 
diagnosed with a heart defect. Her doctors didn't expect her to see her 
teens, but they didn't know Laura. She dealt with her personal 
obstacles by showing others how precious each day and every moment of 
their life is. In her words, ``I express my gratitude by providing hope 
to others.''
  The results she has been able to achieve speak for themselves. She 
has uplifted the spirits of dozens of sick children, kept newborn 
infants in foster care warm with the blankets she made for them, and 
provided support to the veterans in her neighborhood who need help with 
chores around their homes. Simply put, Laura is always there with a 
helping hand to assure those in need that someone cares. While so many 
young men and women are busy looking for ways to have fun, Laura keeps 
busy looking for ways to be of service.
  Our other volunteer champion, Trinity Rich, is in the fifth grade. 
She learned about the importance of reaching out to help others in need 
during a visit to her grandmother's apartment building. She saw that 
her grandmother wasn't the only one who needed a little help so that's 
what she began to do.
  It wasn't long before Trinity's willingness to be of help and share 
the tremendous gift of her time and talents were making a difference 
all around her neighborhood. Whatever the need was, Trinity was there, 
giving her all to make things better.
  In the process both Laura and Trinity have learned an important 
lesson--the more you give of yourself to help others the more you 
receive in the satisfaction of knowing you have made someone else's 
life better. It's a blessing that will stay with them as they continue 
to observe the changes in their town, their neighborhood and their own 
backyard.
  Two other young Wyomingites are also being recognized as 
Distinguished Finalists this year and will receive engraved bronze 
medallions honoring them for their work. One is Adam Jones, 18, of 
Otto, Wyoming. Adam led the effort to complete the roofing and siding 
on an important facility at his local park. He was able to do so well 
in part because he was able to recruit 20 fellow Boy Scouts for the 
task at hand. I am a big supporter of Scouting because Scouts have been 
making a difference in their communities for 105 years with much more 
to come. This is just more proof of their determination to make their 
part of the world a better place to live.
  Our other finalist, Hannah Nieslanik, is a 17 year old from Cokeville 
who has also been getting involved in her community. She is now a 
certified emergency medical responder who helps the emergency medical 
response team care for those facing a medical crisis.
  All of these young people are winners in the important task of 
helping to inspire others to get more active and involved. We all have 
a gift to share with those who need our help. If we don't take action 
the change we could bring to our community will never happen. The four 
youth volunteers I have named here are all leaders who lead the best 
way--by example.
  Recognition by this prestigious Community Awards program means a 
great

[[Page 3055]]

deal to all those who earned their awards this year. What means even 
more, I am sure, is the difference these individuals have made. The 
renewed sense of hope they have helped to instill in those they have 
helped and the smiles of appreciation they have received has made it 
clear how important their work is. Their efforts have shown us all what 
can be accomplished when our nation's young people see a problem and 
challenge themselves to address it--and solve it.
  Congratulations, Laura, Trinity, Adam and Hannah. We couldn't be more 
proud to claim all of you as Wyoming's own. Keep up the good work.

                          ____________________