U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) honored Mercer and Monroe counties, which were recognized among this year's "100 Best Communities for Youth for 2007," in the Congressional Record Thursday.

Text of the Congressman's remarks as they appear in the Congressional Record follows:

Madame Speaker,

I rise today in recognition of two counties in my District, Mercer and Monroe, which have recently received the honor as two of the nation's "100 Best Communities for Youth for 2007" by the Alliance for Youth. This is the second such award for Mercer County, which was also honored last year.

These counties competed against hundreds of communities in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, who were all vying for the unique distinction.

This award is well-deserved, as these communities have dedicated themselves to fostering a healthy, safe and caring environment for our young people. I share this vision, and am deeply honored to have the only two localities in West Virginia recognized located in my District.

I pledge to continue my work to make the communities of the Third District a healthy and nurturing environment for our children, by supporting legislation that will keep our children safe. Last year, I supported legislation to better fund our law enforcement. I also supported the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, a bill that will protect children and save countless lives by dramatically improving efforts against sex offenders and violent criminals. In addition, I took action in the House of Representatives to protect West Virginia children from Internet predators, voting in support of The Deleting Online Predators Act and similar legislation.

While these steps are significant, it is by far the end of our work. As the folks of Mercer and Monroe counties can attest, we must never waver from our commitment to our youth. As much as we accomplish, we must always strive to do better.

West Virginia native and renowned author Pearl S. Buck once said, "If our American way of life fails the child, it fails us all."

These are words to live by, words that Mercer and Monroe counties are living by today. I again commend the entire community-the teachers, the civic leaders, the parents and the children as well, who are all so very bright-for the hard work they have done and continue to do.

I encourage other communities in the Third District and across West Virginia and our Nation to follow the fine example set by Mercer and Monroe counties. As the Alliance for Youth said, "They are shining examples of what it means to keep America's promise to our young people."