Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Gerard Francis Schiappa, director of federal relations for Turner Construction and former administrative assistant to Congressman Louis C. Wyman, who died of cancer March 17, in his home in Potomac Falls. Gerry was 67 years old.

Gerry, who had a 50-year career in government affairs, also was special counsel to former Secretary of the Navy J. William Middendorf II from 1975 to 1976 during the Ford Administration. He began his career as an elevator operator and mailroom clerk in the U.S. House of Representatives. After serving in the Army, Mr. Schiappa returned to the House, where he served on the staffs of Representatives Arch A. Moore (R-W.Va.), Joe Skubitz (R-Kan.), William C. Cramer (R-Fla.) and finally Louis C. Wyman (R-N.H.).

As Congressman Wyman's Chief of Staff, Gerry had a reputation on Capitol Hill as a brilliant political tactician who knew how to get things done. His counsel to Congressman Wyman, who served on the House Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations, helped save the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard from closure in the early 1970s. He served as a principal coordinator for Congressman Wyman's U.S. Senate campaign against John Durkin, a Democrat, in a 1975 runoff election, which is known as the closest Senate race in U.S. history.

Gerry left public service in 1978 to join the Panax Corp. as its Vice President of Public Affairs. He founded a lobbying firm, the Capital Group, in 1981 and served as its president and chief executive until 1996. In 1997, he became managing partner of Middendorf & Associates.

Gerry was born the third of 10 children in Scranton, Pa. He grew up in Mount Rainier, graduated from Northwestern High School in Hyattsville and attended Capitol Page School in Washington. He also attended Emerson Preparatory School and the University of Maryland.

He served on the executive finance committee of the 1981 and 1985 Presidential Inaugural Committees, and President Ronald Reagan's 1981 Presidential Transition Office for Intelligence Operations. He also served on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Educational Film Center and Prevision Corp. He was also a member of the Washington Performing Arts Society, ALS Association of Washington, Great Falls Citizens Association, Defense Forum Foundation and the Reagan Alumni Association.

Of all his accomplishments, Gerry was most proud of being a mentor to countless young men and women eager to begin their professional careers. John Dean, former White House counsel, wrote in his autobiography that Gerry helped him get his first job in government. Gerry is survived by his wife of 41 years, Jane Thompson Schiappa of Potomac Falls; two children, Brien Schiappa-Dunn and John Schiappa, both of Potomac Falls; a brother; eight sisters; and one granddaughter.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Gerard Schiappa on the floor of the House today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Andrea Marie Perea, who is a two-time State Champion in the sport of Gymnastics.

At 12 years old, Andrea has achieved more in the sport of gymnastics than many athletes will accomplish in a lifetime. In the 2005 Nevada State Championships in Reno, Nevada, Andrea scored first place in 4 of the 5 events that she competed in, including uneven bars, balance beam, floor exercise, and best all around performance, leading her to win her first Nevada State Championship. She became a two-time title holder at the 2006 Nevada State Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she took home first place on the vault, balance beam, and again received the title of best all around.

Andrea's athleticism does not stop with gymnastics. She takes ballet and belly dance lessons, and participates in a Fiesta Flamenca dance troupe. In addition to her athletic achievements, Andrea gives back to the Las Vegas community by volunteering with Salud en Accion, a program that provides outreach to the Hispanic community on Medicare, Medicaid, and basic health services. Furthermore, Andrea acts as an altar server for the Guardian Angel Cathedral Catholic Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Andrea is committed to maintaining her public service, and would like to get more involved with events in her local Las Vegas community. A straight ``A'' student, she intends to maintain her grades while continuing to practice dance and violin in her spare time. She has set her sights on participating in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, and then taking her gold medal to West Point where she will study medicine, and eventually become a surgeon. With more young women like Andrea Marie Perea, who strive to meet their goals with great ambition and pride, I see a bright future for America.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to honor Andrea Marie Perea and her outstanding accomplishments. I wish her the best in her gymnastics career, as well as with all of her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Charles W. ``Chuck'' Fulkerson, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, who will retire from the position of Executive Director of the Nevada Office of Veterans' Services, effective March 31, 2006.

Born in Idaho, he graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1958, with a degree in Agriculture Economics. As a Distinguished Military Graduate of the Reserve Officer Training Corp, he was commissioned as second lieutenant infantry in 1958. Chuck served in a wide variety of assignments in the U.S. Army until his retirement from military service in 1991. His active duty military career includes two combat tours in Vietnam as an Infantry Officer, assignments in Europe and a tour as the Assistant Professor of Military Science at the University of Nevada, Reno. After leaving active service, Chuck served with the Nevada Military Department. He was appointed by Governor Robert List as the Director of the State Selective Service from 1979 to 1985. Recalled to active duty by Governor Richard Bryan in 1985, Chuck concluded his military career as the United States Property and Fiscal Officer for the Nevada National Guard. He is a graduate of the National Defense University and his military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal the Air Medal, the coveted Combat Infantry Badge and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with the Gold Star.

Under Chuck's leadership, the Nevada Office of Veterans Services realized significant achievements benefiting Nevada's veterans and their families. The State's Veterans Service Officer staff doubled in size, making it possible for more Nevada veterans to receive their VA benefits and recognition for their service than ever before. His leadership was also instrumental in securing $9 million for the expansion of the State's two veterans' cemeteries; the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley and the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City. Chuck's efforts made possible additional burial plots, columbariums, and new maintenance and administration buildings, greatly increasing the Cemeteries' ability to properly honor those who served. Additionally, the State's Guardianship Program was expanded under his leadership, affording care to many more indigent veterans residing in the State of Nevada than ever before.

Of his many achievements during his tenure as the Executive Director of the Nevada Office of Veterans Service, Chuck is most proud of his efforts to bring skilled nursing services to Nevada veterans in need of long term care through the construction of the Nevada State Veterans Home in Boulder City. Prior to the opening of the State's Veterans Home, Nevada was one of very few states in the U.S. that did not have a state veterans home to care for veterans in need of 24-hour skilled nursing care. Chuck's leadership not only dramatically increased the State's offerings to Nevada veterans, but created a road map for future increases in services for veterans.

Chuck has been actively involved in veterans' issues throughout his career. He is a founder and officer of the Veterans Hospital Foundation in Reno and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, the Vietnam Veterans of America, and the U.S. Army Retired Officers Association. Active in the community, Chuck belongs to the Reno Sunrise Rotary Club where he has been designated a Paul Harris Fellow. He also serves on the Executive Board of the Nevada Area council of the Boy Scouts of America and is a guest lecturer at the UNR and UNLV military departments. Chuck is married to Mary Lee Metzker and has three children and five grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Chuck Fulkerson on the floor of the House. He is a fine American and a true hero to those who have had the honor of knowing and serving with him. He has an unwavering spirit for the veterans of yesterday, today and tomorrow. I wish him the best in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Tartan and his career as a teacher, coach, counselor, administrator. He is recognized today at the formal dedication of John Tartan Elementary School, which is named in his honor.

John was born November 6, 1924, in Ruth, Nevada. His parents were immigrants from Yugoslavia. In 1925, the family moved to McGill, Nevada, where John attended McGill Grade School and later White Pine High School in Ely. John graduated in 1943, and he enlisted in the Army-Air Corps. After the war, John won a spot on the ``Ogden Reds'' baseball team, a farm team for the Cincinnati Reds. There he earned the nickname ``Buck'' because he could run like a buck deer. That experience helped secure a baseball scholarship to Utah State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1952.

John was hired by White Pine High School to teach, before he was recalled into the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. John coached and played for the Walker AFB in Roswell, New Mexico. He deployed to Mendel, England. He was discharged from the armed services in July 1953.

One month later, he accepted a position at Basic High School in Henderson, teaching general science and biology. He also became head baseball coach and assistant football coach. Under John's direction, Basic won two State Championships in baseball. Basic won the Tri-State championship and then competed in the C.I.F. tournament in Southern California. This was a first for a Nevada school. In 1955 John was named the ``Helms Athletic Coach of the Year.'' John also introduced the slogan ``Home of the Basic Wolves'' on the school scoreboard. In addition to the scoreboard, John was the first coach to dress in team uniform, along with the bat-boy. This started a precedent at all the high schools in the Las Vegas valley.

In 1957, John left Basic to pursue a Master's Degree at Arizona State University. He returned to Las Vegas and Rancho High School. John led the Rancho Baseball Teams to Three State Championships in a row.

John moved out of the classroom and into administration. As a counselor at Rancho, John made it a point to help every student secure a scholarship. He handled all the senior class for twelve years. At Rancho High School, John served as Head of Counselors, and eventually as Assistant Principal.

In 1976, John transferred to Valley High School as Assistant Principal and in 1978, he requested to be transferred to Las Vegas High School, because it was so similar to his own Alma Mater. He retired from Las Vegas High School in 1980.

John is married to Judy Breeding Tartan for forty-two years. He has three children, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to John Tartan on the floor of the House today. I thank him for his service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Attorney Robert E. Jones, who passed away on January 28 of this year, at the age of 93.

Robert was a resident of Las Vegas for 39 years and a resident of Salt Lake City the last 22 years of his life. While living in Las Vegas, from 1947 to 1951, he served as the Clark County District Attorney. He also was the general counsel for the Clark County Housing Authority for 37 years, held a similar post at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority for 14 years and was the first attorney for the Colorado River Commission. He became the Convention Authority's first attorney in 1958 when the agency was known as the Clark County Fair and Recreation Board. There, Robert was credited with putting together 6 bond questions, 4 of which passed, that helped shape the powerful Convention Authority during its formative years.

Before moving to Las Vegas Robert served as an FBI Special Agent in Savannah, Georgia, and Birmingham, Alabama, from 1940 to 1945. Robert is the father of U.S. District Judge Robert E. Jones, and the Clark County Housing Authority's Jones Gardens was opened and named in his son's honor in 1985.

Mr. Speaker, It is an honor to recognize and pay tribute to Robert Jones today, on the floor of the House. He was a great American and he will be remembered as a philosophical man whose kindness and involvement in the community stands as an example to all of us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Toni and Victor Chaltiel, who will be recognized this Sunday at the Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy Annual Gala in Las Vegas, by receiving the First Dr. Miriam & Sheldon G. Adelson In Pursuit of Excellence Award.

Longtime philanthropists and community volunteers, Toni and Victor Chaltiel are enormously active in Nevada's education, art and community outreach programs.

Founder, chairman and CEO of Health Dad Insights, Inc., Mr. Chaltiel has 35 years of experience as an executive in the health care industry including 10 years as chairman and CEO of NASDAQ and NYSE publicly listed companies. He also currently serves as founder and chairman of RedHills Ventures LLC, a venture capital group focusing in claims integrity and market-driven health care. Born in Tunis, Tunisia, Mr. Chaltiel is a graduate of the Ecole Superieure Des Sciences Economiques et Commercials in Paris, France, and the Harvard Business School and actively supports the United Way, AIPAC, and ADL; he also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Nevada Ballet Theater and as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy.

Mrs. Chaltiel is the cofounder and manager of RedHills Ventures LLC and was president of Total Insurance and Planning Corporation in Torrance, CA. A native of Dublin, Ireland, Mrs. Chaltiel graduated from Dublin City University and the Institute of Personnel Management in Dublin. She is active in several community and not-for-profit organizations, including the United Way, and serves on the Board of Directors of both the Nevada Ballet Theatre and the Jewish Community Center of Southern Nevada. The Chaltiels have three children, Oscar, Maxime, and Sarah, all of whom attend the Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Toni and Victor Chaltiel. I commend them for their services to Southern Nevada.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rev. Robert Miller. Reverend Miller, a 4-year resident of Las Vegas, is a Vietnam veteran who works tirelessly to serve homeless veterans with a unique need, that need being that they need someone to give them a proper burial.

Reverend Miller's interest in helping homeless veterans started about 23 years ago, when he was living in Detroit. He was shopping at a produce market when a homeless man asked him for 50 cents. When he gave the man some money he looked strangely familiar. The two realized that they had served together in Vietnam. Reverend Miller bought the man breakfast and quickly became involved with feeding homeless veterans through various organizations in Michigan. When he moved to Las Vegas he continued this work.

About 2 years ago Reverend Miller started volunteering his time to conduct services for homeless and indigent veterans who are buried at the Southern Nevada Memorial Veterans Cemetery. He believes that all homeless veterans deserve to be laid to rest with respect and with the same honors that other veterans receive. About 1,650 veterans a year

are buried at the cemetery. Most of the time, the service includes grieving families mourning their loss. But each year, about 120 homeless veterans are also buried there, and rarely does a family member attend. Reverend Miller, the chaplain for the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 17, conducts services, and an honor guard is provided by the appropriate service branch.

At the age of 57, Reverend Miller is not the only one to provide this greatly needed final farewell. But when he started handling the services 2 years ago, he was one of the most frequent unpaid volunteers conducting services. He drives 60 miles round trip from his home to the cemetery and often performs services for more than one veteran a day. On January 31st, he held services for six homeless veterans, only one of which had any family there to attend.

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to honor Rev. Robert Miller on the floor of the House, today. He stands as an example to all of us by helping those who cannot help themselves. I commend him for his selfless acts of service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rev. Patricia Spearman for an exemplary life dedicated to God and community.

Patricia was born in Indianapolis, and spent much of her childhood traveling throughout the Midwest and South with her evangelist mother. They spent a week or so at a time at different churches and between her eighth grade year and second semester of her junior year she attended over 200 schools. Traveling so much fostered in her a curiosity of people and the roads they travel and gave her a healthy respect for human diversity. After 16 years, Patricia was tired of traveling and decided to finish high school in Kansas City, MO. She supported herself with after-school jobs and later, took her first pastorate in a small Kansas City church.

After graduation, Patricia attended college in Dallas on a band scholarship for 1 year, and then transferred to Norfolk State University in Virginia on an academic scholarship. She majored in political science, planning on a career as a minister and attorney. Then, during her freshman year, Patricia enrolled in Reserve Officers Training Corps to fulfill a physical education requirement. She did so well, that during her sophomore year she committed to serving 2 years' active duty in the Army after college, followed by 4 more years in the Army Reserves. She served with the military police in South Korea, advancing through the ranks until leaving active duty in 1983 as a lieutenant colonel. Since then, as a reservist, Patricia has been recalled to active duty several times, and last fall completed a 30- month deployment working in counterterrorism at the Pentagon.

From the days of that first posting in South Korea, Patricia continued working in ministry, sometimes unofficially, often under the auspices of overworked but grateful chaplains. Now she brings to Las Vegas skills learned during a lifetime of serving churches, working in campus ministry at the University of Louisville in Kentucky and serving as school board president in Texas. Last November, Rev. Patricia Spearman was named pastor of the Las Vegas's Covenant United Methodist Fellowship. While she has traveled extensively in her

lifetime, she arrives in Las Vegas with the conviction that this is exactly where she's supposed to be. At the age of 50 she uses her experience to segue seamlessly from a story about everyday life into a Bible story. And in a time when many people segregate to worship Patricia holds firm to the idea that diversity is also one of God's creations and it must be celebrated. Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend her sermons and the average crowd that gathers to hear her words attests to Patricia's love of diversity.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Rev. Patricia Spearman on the floor of the House today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Boulder Dam Hotel Association for their work in preserving the Boulder Dam Hotel.

The Boulder Dam Hotel is an historic building constructed in 1933 located in Boulder City, Nevada. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and stands in the center of the nationally registered historic district of Boulder City. By 1934 the hotel was accommodating a steady clientele which included Hollywood celebrities, politicians, European aristocrats and Far Eastern royalty. The hotel gained a worldwide reputation, and as a result there were not enough rooms to accommodate all who wished to stay. In the summer of 1934 a southeast wing with 18 rooms was added, and in the fall of 1935 the hotel was expanded a final time with the addition of a dining room and 30 bedrooms. Since that time the only changes have been the addition of a sun room off the dining room, and an elevator and swimming pool in the early 1980's.

Throughout the 1930's and into the 1940's the Boulder Dam Hotel was maintained as southern Nevada's finest inn. As is often the case with historic structures, subsequent years were not as kind to the building and it went through a succession of owners. One of them was Senator Cliff McCorkle who attempted to restore it to its former glory. Though a significant amount of work was done, that effort was not successful and in later years it fell into disrepair and was largely unprofitable.

A number of Boulder City citizens became concerned that the community might lose this beautiful structure, so they formed a group called Friends of the Hotel and investigated the feasibility of taking the building into public ownership. On December 15, 1993, 60 years to the date after the first opening of the Hotel, a newly formed organization, the Boulder Dam Hotel Association, Inc., formally took possession of the hotel. The Association is comprised of the city of Boulder City, the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, the Boulder City Arts Council, and the Boulder City Museum and Historical Association. It has a 12- member board composed of 2 members appointed by each of the owners and 4 additional members who were selected from the community at large by the initial 8 members.

Mr. Speaker, for more than a decade the Boulder Dam Hotel Association has worked to preserve and restore this beautiful and important part of southern Nevada's history. I am honored to recognize them on the floor of the House today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Charles ``Doc'' Broadus for his contributions to the sport of boxing and to helping the youth of his community.

At the age of 86, Las Vegas resident Doc Broadus is still active as a boxing trainer, spending his days at the Las Vegas Boxing Center. Although he is driven by his love of boxing, Doc strives to use the sport as an avenue for keeping kids out of trouble. He heads Doc Broadus Sports & Entertainment, a non-profit organization, which aims to improve the quality of life for local children by giving them the opportunity to compete and perform.

One famous example of Doc's work is the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Gold Medalist, George Foreman. Doc met the young boxer in 1965 at a Job Corps center in Pleasanton, CA. George was headed to California State Prison for getting into a fight and Doc thought his punching ability could be better used in the ring. After effectively getting George out of his sentence by agreeing to work with him, Doc became a father figure of sorts.

What followed were 30 years of training and some of the greatest fights of the 20th century. George became a legend and helped to further unite the Nation, when he won gold in Mexico after he chose to fight instead of caving in to the demands of a small radical group. Doc was in George's corner in the 1974 Rumble in the Jungle versus Muhammad Ali, in Jamaica a year earlier for the upset of Joe Frazier and still present in 1994 at the age of 74, when George defeated Michael Moorer to become the oldest heavy-weight champion in the history of the sport.

Doc's goal is to have 12 kids win 12 gold medals. Although he may never reach this lofty goal, on the way there he will continue to have many successes of a greater value.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Charles ``Doc'' Broadus today. I commend him for a life of dedication to the sport of boxing and to serving the youth of Southern Nevada.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I would first like to thank my colleagues, Mr. Andrews from New Jersey and Mr. Renzi from Arizona, for joining me in offering this commonsense, bipartisan amendment.

Many students graduate from college and professional schools, including those of social work, nursing, medicine, teaching and law, with crushing debt burdens. With the median entry-level public service law salary at $35,000, a mortgage-size debt will bar most graduates from pursuing public service jobs, such as those with government agencies or legal services programs.

Among the graduates who take such positions, many are forced to leave after 2 or 3 years of employment due to financial constraints. The Porter-Andrews-Renzi amendment amends section 421, the Loan Forgiveness for Service in Areas of National Need, of H.R. 609, by allowing public service employees to access funds in the loan forgiveness program.

Specifically, the language expands section 428K of the Higher Education Act to provide up to $5,000 in loan forgiveness for individuals who have completed a baccalaureate or advanced degree and served for 5 consecutive years in areas of public service. This amendment will help encourage highly trained individuals to enter and continue in areas of public service by reducing the burden of student debt for Americans who dedicate their careers in areas of public service.

This amendment is especially important in rapidly growing communities like Southern Nevada. In my district, we have over 5,000 new people moving into our State each month, and it is critical that we ensure our workforce staff is equipped to handle our population growth.

For example, Federal agencies such as the Department of Justice, Social Security Administration, and the U.S. Attorney's office are continually faced with staffing needs to address the increased growth in our communities. By providing these incentives, we can help our communities staff positions for which there are significant needs such as public service employees.

This is an opportunity for Congress to make an existing Federal program more useful by providing an incentive for students to enter the fields of public service. It is a fiscally responsible solution that will support individuals who choose to enter areas of public service without imposing costly new mandates that will eat into our ability to provide other student benefits through higher education.

Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi).

Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon).

Mr. Chairman, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4057) to provide that attorneys employed by the Department of Justice shall be eligible for compensatory time off for travel under section 5550b of title 5, United States Code, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4057 as amended. I want to thank the leadership for bringing this important legislation to the floor.

This bill, which has been introduced by myself, Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis, Mr. Waxman, Mr. Davis from Illinois and Mr. Van Hollen, is intended to clarify that the Department of Justice attorneys are eligible to receive compensatory time off for time spent in travel status like all other General Schedule employees.

In 2004, Congress approved this government-wide ``comp time for travel'' in the Federal Workforce Flexibility Act. After the bill had passed, the Department of Justice determined that the bill as written did not give it the authority to waive certain limitations imposed on its attorneys by a previous appropriations measure. H.R. 4057 now, through the technical assistance of the Justice Department, unequivocally clarifies congressional intent.

This bill would allow Justice Department attorneys to be compensated for travel time during nonbusiness hours. This would greatly assist those employees who take early morning flights in order to attend to business away from the home office, but don't currently get compensated for their dedication. In light of the fact that quality-of-life programs are among the most effective recruitment and retention tools, I believe that Federal employees should receive compensation while traveling to do the Government's business.

Mr. Speaker, I thank you once again for your attention to this bill, and I urge passage of H.R. 4057 as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the achievements of an outstanding young woman, Cabrina Gomez, and for her work with the Arthritis Foundation and Walk for A Cure.

As a young woman, Cabrina was always active in cheerleading and dance, however, late in the summer of 2003, she began to experience severe pain in her legs, arms, and hand muscles. In January 2004, doctors diagnosed Cabrina with chronic inflammatory demylating polyneuropathy (CIDP). This nerve disorder enlarges the spinal column, which prevents brain signals from controlling muscles. Cabrina stopped cheerleading and dance classes due to the onset of CIDP. About 1 in 300,000 children are diagnosed with this disease.

Cabrina fights this disease through several treatments including steroids and plasma phorenthis. However, these treatments do not have long-term results. Throughout her treatments, Cabrina continues to have a positive attitude, and she uses this disease to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation and Walk for A Cure.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to recognize and honor Cabrina Gomez in front of my colleagues on the floor of the House of Representatives today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lori Ann Foutz who is the recipient of the 2006 Nevada Young Mother of the Year Award.

Lori graduated from Brigham Young University in 1989 with a bachelor's degree in art education and a minor in health. She and her husband, Tracy Foutz, moved to Henderson in 1990 where he has worked for Clark County and the city of Henderson as a city planner. They have four children: Lance Tracy, Travis Lee, Jaclyn Beth, and Victoria Jo.

Lori has been a weekly classroom volunteer in her children's classes for the past 12 years, specializing in fun Halloween parties, campaign manager for her kid's student council elections and homecoming floats. She has served as chairman for the PTA Reflections Art contest for 10- year-olds.

Lance and Travis have achieved their Eagle Scout award, run cross- country and played volleyball in high school. All four children have participated in soccer and basketball, and the girls attend dance classes.

Lori is very active in the LDS Church and has served as president of the Young Women's Organization and is currently the president of the women's auxiliary, the Relief Society. She is responsible for more than 150 women, seeing to their temporal and spiritual needs.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Lori Ann Foutz today. She is a fine example of motherhood and I commend her for her service to the State of Nevada.

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor Laurie Richardson, who is the recipient of the 2006 Nevada Mother of the Year Award.

At an early age, Laurie found that she had a gift for advocating for children. After marrying her sweetheart Sullivan Richardson, Laurie opened her heart and home to abused and neglected children as a foster parent, of which she adopted four. She also gave birth to three children of her own.

Active in church programs, Laurie helped her children develop talents in music and sports, and encouraged their community involvement while serving as a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader, leading to her son earning his Eagle Scout Award. She has organized several mother support groups, volunteered for PTA, and led many service opportunities.

While raising special-needs children, Laurie helped communities and schools recognize the unique needs of children with academic, social, and emotional problems. For twenty-nine years, Laurie has voluntarily advocated for children within school districts, taught parenting classes and represented abused children in court.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Laurie Richardson on the floor of the House today. She is an outstanding example to all parents and I commend her for her service to the communities and children of Nevada.