[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 47 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING JACKIE BALFOUR FOR TWENTY-TWO YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN A. BOEHNER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 13, 2000

  Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, ``Service is the price you pay for the 
space you occupy on this Earth.'' This is the noble principle that has 
served to guide Jackie Balfour through her 22 years of dedicated 
service to her community in Celina and Mercer County, Ohio. For those 
past 22 years, Jackie went from volunteering with the Celina Chamber of 
Commerce in 1969 to recent years as the Chamber President. Noteworthy 
chamber events under Jackie's leadership include the establishing of 
the Convention and Visitor's Bureau in Auglaize County (OH), 
innovations as the Small Business Development Center and Industrial 
Awareness Days, the growth of the St. Mary's Lake Festival, and the 
creation of the Auglaize and Mercer County Industrial Association.
  In 1967, Jackie earned her radio broadcasting license from the 
Federal Communication Commission and broke ground in the field as a 
woman broadcaster. She was one of the first women to earn this license. 
Jackie and her husband Keith owned Radio Station WKKI for a number of 
years during this time. She was one of only 35 individuals in eight 
states selected to participate in the Neil Armstrong Homecoming after 
his historic flight to the moon. In addition, Jackie has interviewed 
numerous elected officials and celebrities, including Joan Crawford, 
President Richard Nixon, Ohio Governor Jim Rhodes, Ed McMahon, Bob Hope 
and Nick Clooney.
  But her participation and leadership did not end there. For 11 years 
Jackie worked on the Congressional Award program for young people and 
with the D.A.R.E. Boosters program. She had also previously served on 
the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Ohio, 
and served with the Community Improvement Association, the Celina 
Retail Merchants, and the Celina Business and Professional Association. 
She was a charter member of the Grand Lake Toastmasters, an 
organization dedicated to the improvement of oral communication and 
leadership skills. She is also an active member of her church, Grace 
Missionary Church in Celina, In 1997, the St. Mary's Business and 
Professional Women's Organization chose Jackie as their Woman of the 
Year.
  Jackie Balfour is a true leader whose hard work and dedication should 
serve as an example for us all. Every American should aspire to this 
kind of enthusiastic commitment to service. I am proud to know and 
represent a person like Jackie Balfour in Congress. She is a truly 
gracious individual who strives to promote the ideals that will ensure 
our country remains a great place to live with hope and opportunity for 
all.

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