[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 3, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S11025]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CELEBRATING THE ``WOMEN OF
                                 L/A''

 Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to call my 
colleagues' attention to an awards dinner being held in the Lewiston/
Auburn communities of Maine. This event, ``Celebrating the Women of L/
A,'' honors those women who have demonstrated, through their 
accomplishments and their caring, a significant impact on their 
community.
  The women honored in the Twin Cities' celebration have accomplished a 
great deal. Women across the country have soared through space, raised 
children, developed life-saving medicines, cared for a loved one, 
established businesses, and quietly improved the lives of those in 
their families and their communities. This special Maine dinner not 
only recognizes the business or scientific accomplishments of women, 
but also, all that these honorees bring to their families and their 
communities.
  Those submitting nominations were asked to describe briefly what it 
was about the nominee that made her such a special and important part 
of the community. Here are a few examples: ``She has coordinated 
charity work of many organizations such as the collection of money, 
clothing, coal, wood, groceries, stoves, furniture, and toys for the 
Relief Society; organized the sponsorship for a maternity room and 
children's room at Central Maine Medical Center; and selected children 
to receive assistance from churches.''
  ``Mom works hard. She helps me. She takes me swimming. She gets me 
toys. She takes me shopping. We have girl-time. We go to the movie 
theater. She makes me dinner. She helps me clean. We cuddle on the 
couch and watch movies.''
  ``When you need her, she's there. When you're not sure you want 
anyone around, she's still there for you--especially with her children. 
She's had to cope with the tragic death of her mother and had many set 
backs, and still she has maintained the strength to be there for all of 
us.''
  ``She is a lifeline. She has been there for me through several tough 
times in my life, lending her support or sometimes just a sympathetic 
ear. She has never judged me, as others have, for my less than 
brilliant choices in life. No matter what the cost, she is always there 
to defend my decisions to anyone who may have something to say. Though 
her schedule is busy, she always makes time for me and for that I value 
her friendship.''
  ``She is a professional in her field. She takes her job very 
seriously and always gives it her all to help people. She is a very 
loyal, dedicated individual who works hard for what she has.''
  ``Mothers influence their children's lives in profound ways. My mom's 
influence has been no exception to that statement. She lived through 
the nightmare of seeing two brothers seriously injured during World War 
II and married a man that served during the Korean War. Yet, as far 
back as I can remember, my Mom was always cheerful and optimistic.''
  ``My mother has never had time for herself, and now has her own 
health needs that she must attend to. Nevertheless, she still tends to 
the needs of others before taking care of herself. Not only has she 
mourned her husband, father and mother in law, but she has also had to 
mourn her mother and her only sibling, a brother. My mother has made 
the most of the sorrow and hardships and she has been an inspiration to 
so many people, and a wonderful role model for all of her children.''
  There are so many more testimonials that were received on behalf of 
the honorees. They speak to the importance and influence that these 
women have had on their families, their friends, and their communities.
  I am honored to pay tribute to the following Women of L/A: Judy 
Merced, Crystal Brissette, Sandy Barnies, Linda Saucier, Gail L. 
Richard, Lorraine Yvonne Poulin Sheehy, and Etta Y. Mitchell.
  They each are so deserving of this recognition, and I congratulate 
them as they are recognized for their efforts in the home, the 
workplace, and in the community. These women represent so many others 
for whom no public praise has been made. I offer my thanks and best 
wishes to all the women of L/A for making our community such a strong 
and vibrant place to live, work, and raise a family.

                          ____________________