Fourteen-year-old Brian Slonakar took a lot of ribbing after he found $2,500 and immediately turned it in.
His friends in New Matamoras, Ohio, told him, "I would have kept it and you're dumb," Brian recalled Thursday. "They're jealous now."Brian said his father told the local bank president about the wallet Brian found in a parking lot and the owner's $20 reward. The banker told the local congressman, and the congressman sweetened the pot.
Rep. Frank Cremeans, R-Ohio, flew Brian to Washington, bought him lunch, gave him a guided tour of the Capitol and arranged for Brian to be in the audience for the official state greeting of Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Car-do-so.
The congressman's staff was unsuccessful in lining up a handshake or photo with the president, but the ceremony on the White House South Lawn, replete with military honors, was the highlight of Brian's day.
"That was pretty neat with the military stuff," he said.
Brian said he got within 25 feet of President Clinton and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and snapped a lot of pictures.