Capitol Words a project of the Sunlight Foundation

Rep. Daniel Webster

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Elizabeth Tran for exemplary volunteer service. Elizabeth, age 17, of Orlando, has been named one of the top honorees in Florida by the 2012 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, an annual honor conferred on the most impressive student volunteers in each State and the District of Columbia.

Elizabeth is a junior at Cypress Creek High School and has raised more than $20,000 to support the Children's Miracle Network in the first two years of the ``Miss Miracle'' charity pageant, an annual event that she created. The ``Miss Miracle'' pageant is conducted in cooperation with Teens Go Green, an organization co-founded by Elizabeth and dedicated to raising public awareness for protecting the environment. All ``Miss Miracle'' contestants raise money to support the organization, and those contestants who raise the most are crowned ``Miss Miracle.''

The Prudential Spirit of Community Award was created in 1995 by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals to encourage youth volunteers in their contributions to society, to emphasize the value of volunteerism, and to inspire other young people to follow their example. Over the past 17 years, the program has become the Nation's largest youth recognition effort based solely on community service, and has involved more than 100,000 young volunteers at the local, State, and national level.

It is my pleasure to commend Elizabeth for her energy and initiative in seeking to make her community and world a better place to live by supporting organizations such as the Children's Miracle Network. Her commitment and accomplishment is extraordinary in today's world and deserves recognition. Her actions remind us that young Americans can play an important role in our communities.

On behalf of the citizens of central Florida, I am pleased to recognize Elizabeth Tran's selflessness and enthusiasm for serving others and for making a difference. The kind of altruism evident in Elizabeth's efforts represents our brightest hopes for a better tomorrow. May her efforts inspire others to follow in her footsteps.