[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 43 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E486]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING MARIE THERESE DAMRELL GALLO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY A. CONDIT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 1999

  Mr. CONDIT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Marie Therese Damrell 
Gallo in recognition of her being awarded the Anti-Defamation League's 
Torch of Liberty Award for the Central Pacific Region. Marie has 
established standards for charity and voluntarism which are 
remarkable--all the while, gaining the admiration and love of the many 
people who have had the pleasure and enjoyment of working with her.
  I'm proud to report that first and foremost in Marie's life is an 
incredibly strong commitment to her family. Marie married Bob Gallo in 
1958 and together they have raised 8 children, and have 10 
grandchildren.
  Yet while raising her family, Marie never forgot her commitment to 
her friends of her community. In tribute to her many accomplishments, 
Marie has also received the Liberty Bell award from the Stanislaus 
County Bar Association, the Standing Ovation Award from the Modesto 
Symphony Guild, the Outstanding Women of the Year award from the 
Stanislaus County Commission for Women, and The Cross for the Church 
and the Pontiff Papal award from His Holiness, John Paul II.
  The diversity and breadth of her interests and concerns are amazing. 
She has been the founder and chairwoman of innumerable fund-raising 
events for charitable organizations, including the Modesto Symphony 
Guild's Holiday Overture, the American Diabetes Association of 
Stanislaus County's The Great Caper; the Opening Night Gala for the 
Central California Art League's Spring Show, the Bishop of Stockton's 
Celebration of Charity; An Evening Starring Loretta Young for the 
benefit of the Sisters of the Cross Convent; the YMCA of Stanislaus 
County's An Autumn Affair; and the Fashion Show for the benefit of St. 
Stanislaus School.
  A native of Modesto, in my district in California's great Central 
Valley, Marie attended Lincoln Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High, and 
Modesto High School. She is a graduate of the College of Notre Dame and 
taught in the San Francisco school system before her marriage to Bob. 
Marie is an accomplished pianist and studied under Bernhard 
Abramowitsch at the University of California/Berkeley.
  Mr. Speaker, Marie Gallo exemplifies the finest spirit of voluntarism 
and selfless dedication. I am proud to represent her in the Congress 
and ask that my colleagues rise and join me in honoring her.

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