[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 8, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E242-E243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CELEBRATING THE WOMEN OF LEWISTON/AUBURN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN ELIAS BALDACCI

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2000

  Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call my colleague's 
attention to a dinner being

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held next week in the Lewiston/Auburn communities of Maine. The event, 
``Celebrating the Women of L/A,'' will honor women who have touched the 
lives of others in their communities.
  For decades, the women of Lewiston and Auburn--like those throughout 
Maine, the nation and the world--have raised children, served as 
caregivers, worked inside and outside the home, and volunteered their 
time and talents. They have maintained a strong and quiet foundation 
for our families that has nourished us all. The celebration will 
recognize all that women bring to families and our community.
  Those submitting nominations were asked to briefly describe what it 
was about the nominee that made her such a special and important part 
of the community. Here are a few examples:

       ``Life has not been a cakewalk for you, nor was life meant 
     to be. However, each challenge you faced was met with the 
     steadfast determination to overcome and survive and never to 
     succumb. All of this has given rise to a woman who now lives 
     life to the fullest, to a mother who loves her children 
     insurmountably and to a co-worker who leads by example and a 
     steadfast desire to accomplish.''
       ``You are extremely special to me because you have every 
     quality that I would like to have when I myself become a 
     mother. You are caring, loving, kind, strong (emotionally), 
     strict (when necessary), good cook, helpful, and most of all 
     being independent and such a hard-worker. I admire you for 
     all these things.''
       ``She is an ordinary woman, who did an extraordinary job 
     raising five children, after the accidental death of her 
     husband. . . . She has never, ever complained, always with a 
     smile. She has `Looked to the sun and the shadows have fallen 
     behind.'''
       ``I would like to honor this woman today because if I could 
     be half the woman she is, my life would be full.''
       ``She gently pushes me forward with my personal growth. . . 
     . I want her to know that she touches my life in a very 
     special way. . . . She has helped me to learn to love myself. 
     In return, I am learning to love others.''
       ``Plain and simple, she represents what a good leader 
     should be.''

  These are but a few examples of the testimonials received on behalf 
of the honorees. They speak to the importance and influence that these 
women have had on their families, colleagues, and communities.
  I am proud to have the opportunity to pay tribute to the following 
Women of L/A here in the House of Representatives. The Honorees are 
Marcia Akers, Carol Arone, Lucinda Athertone, Susan Breau, Joan 
Collins, Rebecca Cutler, Clare Darcy, Jackie D'Auteuil, Julie 
D'Auteuil, Rachel D'Auteuil, Katherleen White Fallon, Julia Hixon, Dawn 
Humason, Debra Leigh Humason, Elizabeth Kennedy, Geneva Kirk, Mary 
Martin, Susan Nichols, Sister Jeanne Nicknair, Lillian O'Brien, Mary 
O'Leary, Claire Ouellette, Cindy Palmer, Helene S. Perry, Barbara 
Robertson, Maca Roddy, Linda Rolfe, Donna Steckino, Kaileigh Tara and 
Dottie Perham Whittier.
  These 30 women are all extremely deserving of this recognition, and I 
congratulate them as they are recognized for their effort in the home, 
in the workplace and in the community. I know that they are also 
representative of many other women throughout the communities and as we 
honor them, we also look around at the many other women who have made 
positive differences in L/A. I offer my thanks and best wishes to all 
the women of L/A for making Lewiston and Auburn such a strong and 
vibrant community.

                          ____________________