[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 72 (Thursday, May 26, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H4124-H4125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN MEMORY OF VICE MAYOR KATHLEEN NICOLA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, it is my sad duty to inform this House and 
the people of this Nation of the passing of a dedicated public servant. 
The vice mayor of Fountain Hills, Arizona, Kathleen Nicola, passed away 
last week as the result of a boating accident.
  A longtime Arizona resident, Kathleen Connelly Nicola moved to Lake 
Havasu City, Arizona, in June of 1967. After a move to Mesa in 1985, 
Kathleen and her family settled in Fountain Hills in 1989.
  Kathleen's service to the town of Fountain Hills began in 1990 when 
she began working for the municipal court after a brief period of 
volunteering her services. During her tenure as administrator of the 
court over the following 9 years, Kathleen's extensive duties included 
budget preparation and day-to-day management of that court.
  Kathleen's responsibilities likewise included the court's compliance 
with local, county, and State statutes, rules and administrative 
orders, in addition to statistical and financial reports; and with that 
involvement and background in government, Kathleen Nicola decided to 
run for the Fountain Hills Council in 2002, serving there with 
distinction, rising to the post of vice mayor prior to her tragic death 
last week.
  Kathleen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Justice Studies from 
the College of Public Programs from Arizona State University. She 
graduated from the Arizona School of Real Estate and Business, making a 
career change in the summer of 2000 to become a licensed real estate 
salesperson. A local real estate professional, Kathleen was an active 
member of the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce and the Scottsdale 
Association of Realtors.
  Kathleen Nicola, one of those in America who understood that public 
service can be expressed through many avenues of citizen involvement, 
finally choosing to run for public office, serving as the vice mayor of 
the town she loved.
  Residents of the fifth congressional district, the town of Fountain 
Hills join as one to express their sympathies and condolences to the 
Nicola family. And, Mr. Speaker, I would hope that all Americans would 
remember the Nicola family in their prayers during these difficult 
days.
  The legacy of Kathleen Connelly Nicola, a woman called to service, 
service in her town, service in public office, service in her 
profession. She will be

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long remembered, and she is most definitely missed.

                          ____________________