On the recordApril 4, 2011
Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to recognize the success of a local group of ninth grade students from my congressional district in south Florida, Our Lady of Lourdes Academy. Guided by their teacher, Susan Fleming, these four young ladies-- Gabriela Ballesteros, Christina Gutierrez, Lauren Lopez, and Diana Lopez--have been selected as regional winning finalist in the Toshiba/ National Science Teachers Association ExploraVision competition. This group of intelligent young ladies envisioned an innovative proposal for medical technology, a surgical procedure that would treat patients whose vocal cords have been paralyzed, allowing them to speak again. Their groundbreaking idea was selected from over 4,000 entries and over 13,000 students. Innovative students like these four impressive girls will help lead our Nation into the future, and I wish them much success in the upcoming national judging phase. ____________________
