Patsy T. Mink: “I congratulate two remarkable students from Hawaii--Leanne Nakamura, age 17, of Kaneohe and Aubrie Weedling, age 13, of…”

“I congratulate two remarkable students from Hawaii--Leanne Nakamura, age 17, of Kaneohe and Aubrie Weedling, age 13, of Honolulu. Leanne and Aubrie are Hawaii's top two youth volunteers for the year 2000 in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. Leanne Nakamura, a senior at James B. Castle High School, co-created ``S.A.V.E. Kualoa Beach,'' an effort to remove marine debris and educate her community about environmental issues. While attending an environmental conference, Leanne learned about beach erosion and the devastating effect marine debris has on the beaches. She did not feel that the suggested action of writing letters to government officials was an adequate solution. After being alerted by a faculty advisor of foreign fishnets on Kualoa Beach, Leanne organized an effort to remove the nets and conduct a beach clean-up. Leanne recruited volunteers from several school clubs and the University of Hawaii's Environmental Club and persuaded local merchants to donate food for the volunteers. As a result, three-quarters of the fishnets were removed. ``I believe that when students took part in this project they learned about beach erosion and how people's carelessness affects the environment,'' said Leanne.”