[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 14 (Thursday, February 1, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S1010]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF DEBRA L. FERLAND

 Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Ms. 
Debra Ferland, who is being installed as the president of the Women's 
Council of the National Association of Home Builders on February 11, 
2001 in Atlanta, Georgia. I would like to thank her for her twenty-
three years of work, and honor her for her achievements within the 
housing industry.
  After graduating from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, 
Debra began her long and admirable career by working for several 
prominent national property management firms, including Picerne 
Properties, First Realty Management, and Diversified Properties. She 
has been a Construction Manager at HUD approved rehabs, consulted for 
rent supplement and Section 8 programs, and is currently Director of 
Special Projects at the Ferland Corporation.
  Debra has taken an active role in the industry on both a state and 
national level by assuming numerous leadership roles, including local 
Council President, Membership Chair, and National Convention Chairman. 
She has been appointed as a member of both the Labor Shortage Task 
Force and the National Association of Home Builders Capital Club, and 
is the Women's Council Life Director.
  In addition to her tremendous career achievements, Debra has devoted 
herself to family, including her husband A. Austin Ferland, her 
daughter Nicole, and her extended family of Fred, Deborah, and four 
year old grandson, Ben. She is a chef and an avid golfer, and has 
displayed her commitment to her local community through Habitat for 
Humanity, the Lincoln School for Girls, and the Tomorrow Fund.
  The citizens of Rhode Island are indeed fortunate for Debra's many 
contributions and for her ongoing commitment to creating housing 
opportunities both within our state and nationwide. I congratulate her 
on the leadership role which she is about to undertake and know that 
she will continue her good work for years to come.

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