[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 61 (Thursday, May 14, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO VIRNITA McDONALD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 14, 1998

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your 
attention today the fine work and truly remarkable dedication of 
Virnita McDonald of Joshua Tree, California. My dear friend Virnita 
will be recognized at a dinner honoring her longtime service to Copper 
Mountain College as it commemorates the McDonald Hall Student Center.
  Virnita McDonald, a fine writer and public relations professional, 
has long been active in numerous community and civic affairs throughout 
the Morongo Basin. She has served on many boards and local commissions 
and has received a number of awards for her fine work. But Virnita is 
perhaps best known for her work relating to Copper Mountain College.
  Virnita has been a driving force behind the establishment and success 
of Copper Mountain College since 1977 when she was first elected to the 
Board of Trustees. As of today, she has served five terms on the Board. 
Her tenacious advocacy for a campus in the Morongo Basin led her to 
participate in the very first fundraising efforts in 1979. The 
following year, Virnita went to Sacramento to personally lobby state 
legislators on establishing an auxiliary for the purpose of fundraising 
for the yet unnamed campus. Shortly thereafter, the trustees choose the 
name ``Copper Mountain College'' as a result of a contest to name the 
new college sponsored by the Hi-Desert Publishing Company. In 1981, 
community leaders gathered for the official groundbreaking at the 
future site of Copper Mountain College. Today, the campus continues to 
grow and prosper in remarkable ways as a result of Virnita's vision and 
determination.
  In 1984, I had the distinct honor of nominating the Friends of Copper 
Mountain College for the Presidential Volunteer Action Award. At the 
time, Virnita was serving as president of the college board and was 
largely responsible for the incredible progress being made in moving 
the campus forward. Later that year, a group of ``Friends'' traveled to 
Washington, DC to accept the award from President Reagan. It was a 
touching and fitting tribute to Virnita and many others who had worked 
so hard to fulfill the dream of establishing a college campus in the 
Morongo Basin.
  Mr. Speaker, Virnita McDonald has been at every step in the creation 
of Copper Mountain College and deserves a great deal of credit for her 
longtime devotion to this fine campus. I ask that you join me and our 
colleagues in paying tribute to this remarkable woman who fittingly 
will have her name associated in perpetuity with the new student 
center. Virnita McDonald is one of the finest, most devoted women I 
have ever met. As a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and as a 
community leader, Virnita continues to set a remarkable example for all 
of us to emulate. It is only appropriate that the House pay tribute to 
her today.

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