[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   LINDA A. DICKERSON, RECIPIENT OF THE ART PALLAN HUMANITARIAN AWARD

                         HON. WILLIAM J. COYNE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 24, 1994

  Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to pay tribute to Linda A. 
Dickerson, recipient of the Art Pallan Humanitarian Award. The 
Myasthenia Gravis Association of Western Pennsylvania will present this 
award to Linda at the first-ever ``Rubber Chicken Roast,'' which will 
be held Sunday, June 5, 1994, in the City of Pittsburgh.
  It is fitting that the assembled Members of the U.S. House of 
Representatives should have this opportunity to recognize Linda A. 
Dickerson. Linda Dickerson has demonstrated a remarkable ability to 
take on the challenges of serving others in her community with joy and 
intellectual vigor. She has shown the people of the Pittsburgh area 
what a difference one person can make. Her example is one that should 
stand as a reminder of the role our Nation's citizens can play in 
strengthening and improving the quality of life in local communities 
across the United States.
  This outstanding woman has given generously of her time and energy to 
her fellow citizens. She serves on the boards of many local 
organizations, including the Three Rivers Center for Independent 
Living, Point Park College, Community College of Allegheny County, the 
Rehabilitation Institute, The Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, and Goodwill 
Industries of Pittsburgh. Linda Dickerson has provided leadership in 
focusing public attention on local, regional, and national 
opportunities for the Pittsburgh area to grow both economically and 
culturally.
  Linda Dickerson is also a successful businesswoman. She serves as 
president of Riverview Publications and publisher of Executive Report, 
a monthly business magazine serving southwestern Pennsylvania. She has 
used her knowledge of the economic opportunities available to the 
Pittsburgh area and southwestern Pennsylvania to take a leading role in 
promoting a vision of positive economic growth and development in our 
region.
  Linda Dickerson's accomplishments and continued dedication to public 
service make her a superb choice to receive the Art Pallan Humanitarian 
Award. Linda provides an additional inspiration to everyone in the 
Pittsburgh area since she engages in her many civic activities from a 
wheelchair that she occupies due to a rare neuromuscular condition 
called Werding-Hoffmann disease. Linda Dickerson demonstrates daily 
that the human spirit need not be confined by physical limitations and 
that individuals can overcome obstacles to secure great personal 
achievements.
  Linda Dickerson will receive the Art Pallan Humanitarian Award from 
the Myasthenia Gravis Association of Western Pennsylvania. This 
organization is dedicated to helping individuals in western 
Pennsylvania and across the Nation who suffer from myasthenia gravis 
[MG], a disabling neuromuscular disorder. The MG Association helps 
those with MG and their families by providing access to superior 
medical treatment and medications at reasonable cost and by educating 
the community, health care professionals, and the Nation about 
myasthenia gravis. This organization has led the way in promoting 
medical research necessary to find better treatments or a cure for 
myasthenia gravis.
  Mr. Speaker, I am thankful for this opportunity to join in honoring 
Linda Dickerson. She clearly deserves to be recognized as the recipient 
of the Art Pallan Humanitarian Award. I also want to commend the 
Myasthenia Gravis Association of Western Pennsylvania both for 
selecting Linda for this award and for continuing to help those whose 
lives are affected by myasthenia gravis.

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