[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PAYING TRIBUTE TO JO ELLE HURNS OF THE LAUGHLIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 14, 2006

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jo Elle Hurns, an 
outstanding individual who has given nine years of invaluable service 
to the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce.
  Before joining the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce, Jo Elle Hurns worked 
for twenty years in the Colorado River Communities, her first five 
years as a reporter. In 1990, she went to work as Marketing Director 
for Don Laughlin.
  In 1997, Jo Elle Hurns became the Executive Director of the Laughlin 
Chamber of Commerce. In this position, she began by assisting the 
community with economic development plans for the region, including 
creating a consensus among nine different jurisdictions to fund the $28 
million reconstruction of Needles Highway. Her efforts in lobbying at 
local, state and federal levels for major infrastructure improvements 
in Laughlin included trails, successful multi-million dollar grant 
attainment and the sale of federal lands for further residential and 
commercial growth. Due to her heartfelt commitment to raise funds and 
develop programs for dozens of social service agencies including the 
Colorado River United Way, she greatly influenced the effectiveness of 
many organizations in giving service to the area.
  Jo Elle Hurns was also very involved in serving the community. From 
1995 to 2000 she was on the Laughlin Town Board, and in 2005 and 2006 
she was a member of the Nevada Alliance for the Boys and Girls Club. 
She received the Spirit of the Colorado River Award in 2001, and for 
the past six years has been the Distinguished Woman of Southern Nevada.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to honor Jo Elle Hurns 
for her service to Laughlin and the State of Nevada.

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