[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 27, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E674-E675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  WOMEN INSPIRING HOPE AND POSSIBILITY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HEATHER WILSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 27, 2004

  Mrs. WILSON of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Women's History 
Month, I asked New Mexicans to send me nominations of women in New 
Mexico who have given special service to our community, but may have 
never received recognition for their good deeds.
  On Friday, March 19, 2004, I had the honor and privilege of 
recognizing forty-one worthy nominations describing sacrifices and 
contributions these women have made for our community. The people who 
nominated the women describe the dedication they have witnessed: 
volunteer hours for veterans services, service on non-profit boards, 
homeless programs, mentors for young women, healthcare providers going 
above the call of duty, child advocates, volunteers at churches and 
synagogues, successful business women, wives, mothers and friends.
  Allow me to share information about this year's nominees:
  Charlotte Anderson--Charlotte is a person who goes out of her way 
every single day to help others. She works through her church, 
community, and through her job at Jiffy Lube to make other peoples 
lives easier, and happier.
  Sandra Begay-Campbell--Sandra's work with Native American tribes 
truly inspires hope for improving conditions and providing new 
possibilities through technology for Native Americans and others in 
rural areas. As a member of the Navajo Nation, she serves as a cultural 
interpreter to both Sandia and the Navajo Nation.
  Jo Ann Clements--Jo Ann served as President of the City Council for 
Beta Sigma Phi in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. Her tireless efforts 
earned her Beta Sigma Phi's top honor as ``Woman of the Year.'' She 
also served on this year's ``Women on the Move'' committee for the 
YWCA, where she encouraged nominations, sold sponsorships and ads, and 
did whatever she could to make the event successful.
  Sandy Cody--Sandy is owner of Resources for Excellence, a small, 
woman-owned business. Sandy generously donates her time and skills to 
non-profit agencies like Alzheimer's Association, Southeast Community 
Economic Alliance, and Goodwill Industries, to make life better for 
people in need and in risk.
  Rose Diaz--Rose is the 2004 President of the Oral History 
Association. She also served on the NAFTA Committee for Enterprise for 
the Americas Act and the Good Neighbor Environmental Board. She is a 
former Executive Committee member of the Board of Directors of the 
National Council on Public History.
  Lori Dotson--Lori has dedicated her career to improving the quality 
of life within her community through protection of the environment, 
including serving as an Expert Witness to successfully protect the 
groundwater supply in her community. Lori has designed and managed 
projects to clean contaminated groundwater and contaminated sites. She 
is also a key member of the organizing committee for the Cystic 
Fibrosis Foundation: Sandia Peak Challenge.

  Katherine Fishback--In 1945, Katherine opened the Fishback Studio of 
dance. Fishback served on several national dance organization 
faculties. She received a 50-year Life Achievement Award for her 
teaching career from Dance Masters of America, Inc.
  Jessie Fitzgerald--Jessie was the first woman County Extension Agent 
in the United States. She served on the Lava Soil and Water 
Conservation District Board in Grants for many years before moving to 
the Albuquerque area and joining the Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation 
District.
  Linda Gabaldon Ward Hersee--Linda is very active with Thunderbirds 
Little League. She serves as the Team Mom, Sponsor Director. Linda is 
very active in the community and is always there to help.
  Aileen Gallegos--Aileen is a current Board Member at Ronald 
McDonald's House; graduate of Leadership Albuquerque; and active choir 
member at Prince of Peace Catholic Church.
  Verna Gurule--Verna is a fourth grade teacher at Alvarado Elementary 
School in the North Valley. Volunteers who work with her have witnessed 
her devotion to her class and her tireless efforts to give her students 
every opportunity to participate in an enriched curriculum.
  Bonnie Herbert--A member of Assistance League of Albuquerque for 19 
years, she became President of the organization in 1998, and now is 
their National Director of Philanthropic Projects.
  Kitsie Hilaire--Kitsie has volunteered with the American Red Cross 
for over twenty years. Since her arrival to Albuquerque in 1999, Kitsie 
has been instrumental in improving their community's emergency response 
and preparedness skills. Kitsie is also a volunteer with the ``Hearts 
Apart Program'' on Kirtland Air Force Base.
  Michelle Holdren--Her community involvement has her working with 
Youth At Risk, a mentoring program in the Rio Rancho Area, and 
Northside Civitans has her work with the youth at Youth/Diagnostic and 
Development Center, the Camino Nuevo Youth Center, and El Ranchitos Del 
Los Ninos. Michelle devotes a great deal of time to the Multiple 
Sclerosis Society, American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Association, 
and Project Share.
  Regina Lee Hunter--Regina has done much to make Sandia National 
Laboratories a better place to work for Sandians with handicaps. As a 
founding member of Sandia's Disability Awareness Committee, she has 
worked to have specific handicapped parking marked and to have 
enforcement for the usage of these locations.
  Nobie Hurley--Nobie moved to Albuquerque in 1960. She was the 
Director of Volunteer Services for St. Joseph's Hospital from 1976 to 
1997. Since retirement Nobie has been volunteering her time at the 
Bernalillo County Republican Party as well as the State 
Republican Party. Nobie was recently asked by Archbishop Sheehan to be 
on his advisory council for the National newspaper publication of ``The 
people of God.''

[[Page E675]]

  Cristina Jaramillo--Cristina has served as President for the Valencia 
Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence, Chairman of the University of 
New Mexico Valencia Campus Development Board, and as a member of the 
Belen Chamber of Commerce Board, and Belen Noon Optimists. Cristina 
currently serves as a member of the United Way of Central New Mexico 
Women in Leadership Council, New Mexico Financial Corporation and 
Ranchers Banks Board of Directors, United Way's Valencia County 
Community Board, UNM-VC Development Board, Albuquerque Chamber of 
Commerce Albuquerque Reads Committee, and as a representative member of 
the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber and the Boys and Girls Club of Valencia 
County.
  Michelle Judkins--Michelle worked fulltime for 15 years to raise 
money for the care of elderly people that could not afford quality 
nursing home care, all while raising a child alone. She then supervised 
and trained Hospice volunteers, and started an upscale Hospice thrift 
store to raise money.
  Lillian Kennesson--Lillian was diagnosed with breast cancer just 
before her 26th birthday. She was one of the youngest to be treated at 
UNM Cancer Research and was fortunate to have an amazing doctor. Her 
family celebrated because she had been placed in remission, until a 
year later when she was diagnosed with cancer again. This time it was 
caught in the early stage at age 29. She made a vow to live each day to 
the fullest, eat healthy and exercise each day.
  Susan Kitsch--Susan is the Principle Member of Laboratory Staff at 
Sandia National Labs, where she administers programs for military and 
industrial partners primarily in Synthetic Aperture Radar. Susan was a 
founding member of the NM Compensation and Benefits Association.
  Lilly Kutzscher--Two and a half years ago, Lilly's niece had her 
fourth child. Her niece lost her husband and now is living with her 
mother. Lilly took it upon herself to care for this child at their home 
five days a week while her niece and mother work to support the family.
  Darlene Leonard--Darlene is the manager of Volunteer Programs in 
Sandia's Community Involvement Department. She coordinates Make-A-
Difference Day for Sandia, and under her leadership, the Sandia program 
was recognized by Parade Magazine as one of the outstanding programs of 
its kind. The Thunderbird Awards is a program that Darlene is 
particularly proud of.
  Linda Lee Louie--Linda knew no English when she and her husband 
married in 1963. Encouraged by her husband, she attended evening 
classes at the Old Albuquerque High School and studied with a tutor to 
achieve English literacy. Linda donates her bilingual skills and 
knowledge of Chinese culture to benefit Albuquerque and the Asian 
American community.
  Linda Lovato-Montoya--Linda is doing extraordinary things in the 
fight against breast cancer and was recently recognized by Yoplait, 
SELF Magazine and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as one of 
25 Yoplait Champions. Linda provides support, advocacy, education, and 
awareness about breast cancer to NM Hispanics.

  Emma Lutton--Emma has turned her attention to the youth in her area 
by forming a Youth Development Program committee which provides youth 
education activities and senior mentorship. She is also developing 
programs to enhance Education, Arts and Music and Recreation activities 
for their youth and seniors jointly.
  Rebecca Maloy--Rebecca is a minority business owner of a local 
construction company, Maloy Construction. She has been recognized with 
an Outstanding Women's Award from NM Woman Magazine, which also 
featured her on their cover. Rebecca wrote an article ``Business to 
Crow About,'' also featured in the magazine.
  Joyce Miller--Joyce spends many hours helping out at St. Mark's 
Church. Often she cooks meals for the needy or seniors. She leads a 
women's bible group and prepares the altar for services. When St. 
Mark's Church flooded, she cleaned out the water and debris.
  Sheila Nawman--Shortly after 9/11, Sheila was working at her computer 
when a banner showing a star with five vertical stripes caught her eye. 
Sheila decided to make a 14 inch by 42 inch banner to display support 
of those affected by the tragic event. So far, over 1100 banners have 
been presented.
  Audrey Rose Ornelas--Audrey has accomplished her dream of obtaining a 
Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. To get to this point she had to 
go beyond her disabilities, not only physical but learning disabilities 
as well. She underwent several brain surgeries due to brain injuries, 
and she is also dyslexic and has other learning disabilities. She plans 
to continue on to Highlands University for a master's degree in 
counseling with an emphasis on children and adolescents who are 
handicapped.
  Beth Pattillo--As a full-time working mother in Los Alamos County, 
Beth runs errands and shovels driveways for elderly neighbors, makes 
meals for the sick, babysits to give stressed moms a break, leads a 
Girl Scout Troop, and teaches in her church.
  Tara Ransom--Tara is a junior at La Cueva High School. She volunteers 
at Casa Esperanza, Joy Junction, Roadrunner Food Bank, Balloon Fiesta, 
and the Doggie Dash and Dawdle. Tara developed hydrocephalus as a small 
baby and has had six surgeries on her brain. The only medical option to 
keep Tara alive is a shunt, a drain made of silicone. Silicone has been 
branded as dangerous and it has been a constant fight for most of 
Tara's life to keep the material available.
  Karen Renschler--Karen is the mother of autistic twin sons, who are 
now 19 years old. Karen is now a teacher, developing a fine arts 
program for 40 severely handicapped children with exceptionalities 
ranging from blindness to cerebral palsy to autism.
  Karen Robinson--Karen is a dedicated, full time volunteer, 
encouraging students in the area of science and math. She teaches 
hands-on science at Collet Park Elementary School. At Grant Middle 
School, she plays a very important role with their 8th grade Science 
Class. She also helps organize their science fair and prepares 18 
students to go on to the Southwest Regional Science Fair.

  Audrey Roybal--This nomination was made on behalf of Annette's seven-
year-old son who thinks the world of his first-grade teacher, Mrs. 
Roybal. She makes learning fun, she is very compassionate, caring, 
professional, and informative.
  Juanita Sanchez--Juanita is a member of the Laboratory Staff at 
Sandia National Labs running the United Way campaign at Sandia for the 
past 12 years. Juanita also serves on the United Way's Campaign Cabinet 
and serves on the Board of Directors for the Peanut Butter and Jelly 
Preschool.
  Carol Schulze--Carol began volunteering with the American Red Cross 
Mid-Rio Grande Chapter in August 2000 and has been a valuable resource 
to them ever since. After completing basic disaster training, Carol 
began volunteering at the chapter office full-time as a caseworker, 
assisting disaster clients with their needs.
  Georgia Seery--Georgia taught physical education and spent her entire 
professional career in Socorro. Georgia and her husband started many 
community youth programs introducing golf. She was a leader and a 
teacher by example. She held high standards and expectations. She was 
organized and objective. She challenged her students to do their best 
in academics and sports. She has made a difference in hundred of young 
lives.
  Bonnie Snowdon--Bonnie is the mother of a mentally ill son who is now 
in his 30's. She works tirelessly for better treatment of the mentally 
ill, gives much time and effort to supporting the mentally ill, gives 
them hope, and suggests ways for them to better themselves despite 
their limitations.
  Rosemary St. John--Rosemary has been a volunteer with the American 
Red Cross Mid-Rio Grande Chapter since January 1999. She has been 
instrumental in helping the chapter improve service delivery to the 
Albuquerque community, serving on a Disaster Action Team and assisting 
people displaced by small local disasters, such as single house fires, 
with their immediate disaster-caused needs.
  Anna Vargas--Anna currently attends Albuquerque Job Corps. Anna was 
born in Mexico, but left that country to get away from an abusive 
father. In 2000, she went to the shelter for victims of domestic 
violence and in November of that year, she gave birth to her son. She 
is now an intern in Congresswoman Wilson's District Office.
  Judy Zanotti--Judy had a successful career at PNM and then she 
retired. She is President of New Mexico First, Judy volunteers for 
dozens of other organizations. This past year, she served as Mistress 
of Ceremonies for the luncheon for President Fox from Mexico, co-chair 
for the 20th Annual Celebration of ``Women on the Move,'' chair of the 
selections process for the ``Ethics in Business'' Award, and a member 
of the committee to select a new Dean of the Anderson Schools of 
Management at UNM.

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