Recognizing Champion of the Week Riya Hegde

Floor Speech

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Mrs. SYKES. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Riya Hegde as Ohio's 13th Congressional District Champion of the Week.

Riya is an extraordinary student from the Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, who has taken it upon herself to break down barriers and pave the way for the next generation of female coders.

She recently founded Python Pals, which strives to teach young girls and women about the computer coding program Python. This group not only teaches invaluable coding skills but will also instill confidence and courage in her peers to pursue a career in coding.

As a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, we often talk about the ``missing million,'' the 1 million STEM workers from diverse gender, racial, and geographic backgrounds that we need to fill our Nation's open jobs in the STEM fields.

Programs like Riya's are critical to filling the missing million by creating safe, supportive spaces for girls to learn how to code, so they have the skills they need to pursue careers in STEM and showing how Ohio's 13th Congressional District is leading the way.

Riya's initiative shows strength and courage by challenging stereotypes and opening doors for girls who may have once felt excluded from a career path once dominated by men.

I thank Riya for using her voice to uplift and encourage women and girls in Ohio's 13th District to pursue their interest in STEM. She has proved age is no barrier in making a significant impact in the world around us.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Riya on being named Ohio's 13th District Champion of the Week.

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