On the recordApril 16, 2013
Today I would like to honor Saige Halseth, a fifth-grade student at Shawnee Heights Elementary School in Topeka, Kansas, who has brought together her community by helping her classmate, Alex White. Alex suffers from a progressive neurological condition that affects his balance and mobility, and relied on a special companion, a service dog named Hope, until March, when Hope was tragically killed by a motorist. For Alex, Hope was a blessing, a best friend and, to quote Alex directly, quite the ``chick magnet.'' Saige knows how much Alex depended on Hope, and she started a fundraising campaign to help him afford a new service dog. She wrote letters sharing his story and sold wristbands that read, ``Always Have Hope.'' I want to thank Saige, a caring young leader and inspiration to her community, for her selfless commitment to helping her friend, Alex. It's because of young people like Alex and Saige that even after yesterday's tragedy in Boston, we can always have hope. ____________________
