[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Pages 9894-9895]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO BRANDON RASMUSSEN

 Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize one of 
Nevada's brightest students, Brandon Rasmussen, on being selected as a 
recipient of the 2016 Barry Goldwater Scholarship. Mr. Rasmussen is the 
sole recipient of this scholarship in the State of Nevada and one of 
nine students in the history of the University of Nevada, Reno, UNR, to 
be selected as a Barry Goldwater Scholar.
  The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program 
was created in 1986 by the U.S. Congress in honor of Barry Goldwater's 
service to our country. The scholarship recognizes students in pursuit 
of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics studies who plan 
to conduct research in these fields. In addition, the program awards 
recipients with $7,500 for future educational opportunities. I extend 
my sincerest congratulations to Mr. Rasmussen on this significant 
achievement.
  Mr. Rasmussen is an honors program student at UNR, pursuing his 
bachelor's degrees in geology and geophysics, in addition to studying 
mathematics and physics. During his freshman year, he conducted 
research with Craig de Polo of the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, 
where Mr. Rasmussen helped create research on flooding in Reno and 
coauthored a publication on the ditch flooding and historical damage in 
the Reno area. After completing his undergraduate degree, he plans to 
earn his master's and doctorate degrees in a similar field. His 
determination and unwavering resolve

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to excel in his academic pursuits have not gone unnoticed. Mr. 
Rasmussen stands as a shining example to other Wolf Pack students of 
what hard work can accomplish.
  Today I ask my colleagues and all Nevadans to join me in 
congratulating Mr. Rasmussen. He has worked hard to earn this 
incredible scholarship, and I wish him the best of luck in his future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________