[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 60 (Saturday, April 12, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CONGRATULATIONS TO MAURA LYLE LASATER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 11, 2003

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate 
Maura Lyle Lasater of Las Vegas, NV, Nevada's 2003 Cherry Blossom 
Princess and dear friend of mine.
  I have known Maura since she was a youngster. I have watched her grow 
from an energetic toddler, through her competitive ice skating and 
horseback riding years as a young girl, high school at Bishop Gorman 
High School in Las Vegas, college at the University of Puget Sound 
graduating with a Communications degree, all the way to the 
intelligent, poised and personable young woman with a great sense of 
humor she is today. Maura was an active and valuable participant in her 
mother's two successful Las Vegas mayoral races and also her run at the 
Nevada governorship.
  Maura is now a trusted and valuable member of my staff. Her first day 
at work was September 11, 2001. Reporting to work at 9 a.m. that 
morning, new to this city and without a network of friends, within less 
than 45 minutes America and the world changed and Maura's own personal 
world became even more unsettled. My staff, rallying together in the 
face of their own unknown terror, embraced ``the new girl'' and kept 
her with them as they sought and found a safe place to wait out the 
day's events. In the chaotic days following 9/11--including the anthrax 
scare--Maura established herself as a tireless, reliable and dedicated 
public servant, despite her short time on the Hill.
  Much has transpired since that day and Maura now is an experienced 
and knowledgeable Hill veteran, much loved and respected by her 
colleagues. She has her own network of friends and has continued her 
volunteer efforts on behalf of candidates and causes. Maura is an 
excellent representative of her home State of Nevada in the Cherry 
Blossom Festival.
  The story of the Cherry Blossoms has been told many times--the 
Japanese Government, working with then First Lady Helen Taft, donated 
2000 cherry blossom trees. When they arrived, they were found to be 
diseased and unfortunately had to be destroyed to prevent the spread of 
the disease to our own agricultural products. The Japanese Government 
was gracious enough to provide another donation--this time 3000 
gorgeous cherry blossom trees. These were planted not only in the Tidal 
Basin, but all throughout Washington, DC. There are now less than 200 
of the original trees remaining, and efforts are underway through new 
research and cuttings to regrow these trees so there will always be 
descendants of Japan's gracious gift to America. Maura and the other 
Cherry Blossom Princesses are an integral part of this time-honored 
tradition fostering continued good will of our two countries and the 
beauty the trees provide.
  Maura spent a whirlwind week of customs and ceremonies as Nevada's 
representative to the Cherry Blossom Festival. I was filled with pride 
when I escorted her in the introduction ceremony at the Congressional 
Reception, attended by the Ambassador of Japan and Mrs. Ryozo Kato. Las 
Vegans and all Nevadans can be proud to have Maura Lasater as their 
representative. I look forward to Maura's continued success in life and 
wish her all the best as she pursues her dreams and goals.

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