House of Representatives

HON. JAMES E. ROGAN
Of California

May 22,2000

Saluting Kelly and John Thomas;
Today's Students. Tomorrow's Leaders

MR. ROGAN. Mr. Speaker, too often, we in Congress take to heart the negativity so often seen in the news, on television, and in popular culture. It is refreshing however, to return home to our districts and see stories that inspire, motivate and remind us that this is not the case. Indeed, as I have recently seen, today's students are tomorrow's leaders.

In my home district, two local students, John and Kelly Thomas have taken their compassion for older Americans and united it with some technological know-how. Their efforts are proving that they are indeed shining examples of tomorrow's leaders. In honor of their recent accomplishments, and in recognition of their commitment to older Americans, I ask my colleagues here today to join me in saluting John and Kelly Thomas.

Kelly is a senior at Flintridge Preparatory School in La Canada Flintridge, California. As part of her community service requirement at school, she began playing the piano in area senior centers. And, as the Glendale News-Press recently reported, Kelly with the help of her younger brother John harnessed the power of a new home computer and began to reach out to seniors all across the country.

The brother and sister team had noticed that seniors throughout the community were often isolated and alone living in retirement homes. John and Kelly's new Internet site became a launching pad uniting seniors who are too often lonely with concerned neighbors online and in person. Their web site http://www.writeseniors. com has brought people together and proved that John and Kelley, while still in high school are successful not just as businesspeople, but as concerned citizens as well.

In recognition of their accomplishments and with gratitude for their commitment to others in the community, I ask my colleagues here today to join me in saluting Kelly and John Thomas: Today's students, tomorrow's leaders.