[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E400]
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 20, 2002

  Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call my colleagues' 
attention to a dinner being held next week in the Lewiston/Auburn 
community of Maine. The event, ``Celebrating the Women of L/A,'' will 
honor women who have touched the lives of others in their 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 
Diane Anctil, Gail Baillargeon, Kathryn Beaule, Sue Capponi, Sandy 
Conrad, Theresa Cote, Christine Clabby, Lori Cummings, Robin Duffy, 
Belinda Gerry, Nancy Hinds, Patience Johnson, Rachel Kay, Kathleen Noel 
King, Simonne Lavoie, Linda Mynahan, Venise Pratt, Muriel Richard, 
Patricia Robitaille, Trena Hamblin Steele, Linda Tanguay, Ann 
Tourtelotte, Dr. Luz Maria Umpierre, and Kathy Varney.
  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: ``She truly cares about the 
company's employees . . . She is interested in their lives, and she 
treats everyone with respect and dignity.''
  ``My sister has been an example to me. We came from a single parent 
home where our father was an alcoholic. She quit school at 16 and 
worked as a nurses' aide to earn money so our family could stay 
together. No one thought she would make anything of herself. Through 
hard work she proved them wrong.''
  ``Despite an extended career with many successes and contributions, 
she is always focused on the next opportunity to serve. . . . Her 
dedication to family and friends is equally as selfless.''
  ``How can a daughter even begin to explain how much her mother means 
to her? There are certainly not enough words in the dictionary for me 
to tell you who and what my mother is to me.''
  ``She is a loving person with a `Heart of Gold,' who has touched the 
lives of many people through her love and dedication in helping others 
and never wanting anything in return.''
  ``If there could be only one person that I look up to it would be my 
grandmother. . . . She is the bravest, most courageous person I have 
ever met and no one could ever replace her.''
  ``Now that I'm grown up with children of my own, I love and 
appreciate my mother more than ever. I now know how much hard work is 
involved in being a good mother, although she always made it seem so 
effortless. . . . When people tell me how much I am like her I take 
that as the greatest compliment, for I hope I could be half of the 
woman that she is.''
  ``She saw my need, reached out her hand, and impacted another life--
which is just what she does on a daily basis.''
  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.
  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. This celebration recognizes 
all that women bring to families and our community.
  These 24 women are all extremely deserving of this honor, and I 
congratulate them as they are recognized for their efforts in the home, 
in the workplace and in the community. I know that they are also 
representative of many other women throughout these 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.

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