[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1212-E1213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO SUSAN S. LAFFOON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 2003

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding 
service of Susan Laffoon, a friend and distinguished constituent, who 
is stepping down from her duties as Vice President for Public Affairs 
at the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce on June 13, 2003.
  Susan is a Cincinnati native, graduated from the University of 
Cincinnati with a BA in History, and has served our community with 
distinction all her adult life.
  For over a quarter century, Susan has dedicated herself to the 
Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, where her accomplishments are 
impressive. She began at the Chamber in 1977 as a Specialist for 
Minority Business Development, took over as Program Director for 
Leadership Cincinnati in 1978, and became Group Executive for 
Administration in 1982. In 1984, she was promoted to Vice President of 
Government and Community Affairs. Her title changed in 2002 to Vice 
President, Public Affairs. In 1997, Susan was appointed Acting 
President of the Chamber for three months. Her commitment to the 
Chamber and our community is outstanding. Michael Fisher, the Chamber's 
President and CEO, says it best: ``Susan leads by example in her 
collaborative style, willingness to go the extra mile, and enthusiasm 
for her work. She has built strong relationships with key volunteers, 
government officials and her staff. Equally important, she has helped 
deliver impressive results for our region--from State Capital bill 
funding wins to revised environmental policies that better balance the 
needs of all stakeholders.''
  In addition to her service at the Chamber, Susan has been active with 
a number of other important community organizations. Past and current 
leadership posts include: Trustee of the United Way and Community Chest 
of Greater Cincinnati; Trustee of WGUC-FM; founding Trustee and officer 
of the Cincinnati Horticultural Society; Trustee and alumna of the 
Seven Hills School; Trustee of the American Red Cross, Cincinnati Area 
Chapter; and Trustee of the Cincinnati Arts Festival, Inc. Susan also 
has been Trustee of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for 20 years, and 
has given a great deal of time (over 15 years) to

[[Page E1213]]

the Fine Arts Fund, where she was elected a Life Trustee last year.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing Susan's 
many accomplishments as she steps down as Vice President for Public 
Affairs at the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce on June 13, 2003. 
I know Susan will continue to make a difference in our community. All 
of us in the Cincinnati area thank her for her dedication to improving 
our community and wish her the very best in her future endeavors.

                          ____________________