[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 44 (Wednesday, April 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       AN AMERICAN SUCCESS STORY

                                 ______


                       HON. WALTER R. TUCKER III

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 20, 1994

  Mr. TUCKER. Mr. Speaker, there will come a time in every individual's 
life when they must decide if they are prepared to rise to an occasion 
that may present itself. I have always said, ``There is no time to get 
prepared, when opportunity knocks, one must be prepared.''
  There are those who would contend that the success stories of this 
life are little more than lucky men and women who happened to be at the 
right place at the right time. If in fact that is true, then I would 
submit to you, Mr. Speaker, that luck is what happens when opportunity 
meets preparation and those who are prepared are more than lucky, they 
are indeed blessed.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend young woman who rose to the 
occasion--a young woman who was prepared when she met an opportunity. 
Mr. Speaker, that young woman's name is Ms. Latonia Smith.
  The Bible says, ``Consider that ant in all her ways * * * .'' Mr. 
Speaker, I have studied the ant. The ant is persistent, diligent, 
loyal, and brave.
  When I was elected to office in the fall of 1992, my phone began to 
ring soon after. It was Latonia Smith; she was inquiring about a staff 
position. When she was told that all of the positions were filled, she 
asked, ``May I have that in writing please?'' When she did not receive 
that information in writing, she continued to call. She was persistent. 
That persistence earned Latonia a position in my office as a staff 
assistant.
  Throughout her tenure, Latonia has proved to be a diligent, sincere, 
and loyal member of my Washington staff. That diligence has earned Ms. 
Smith two promotions in 14 months. She has gone from staff assistant to 
special assistant to press secretary. Roll Call magazine wrote about 
Latonia in their St. Valentine's Day issue for the aforementioned 
reasons.
  Latonia B. Smith, I commend you for your dedication and loyalty and 
congratulate you on earning the position of press secretary. You are 
indeed a shining example and role model for the youth of this Nation.

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