[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 73 (Friday, June 9, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1096]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO LEILANI SPERBER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 9, 2006

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the memory of 
Leilani Sperber whose sunny disposition and compassionate heart touched 
many lives in northeast Colorado. Leilani was born in Holyoke, CO and 
spent most of her life in Phillips County. She and her husband Gary 
taught school for a few years before settling in Holyoke where Leilani 
was a full-time mother and homemaker. Together they raised a daughter, 
Shawn and two sons, Eric and Mark.
  Leilani always had time to nurture friendships and gently encourage 
those she encountered each day. Her generosity and deep faith led to 
her involvement in numerous church activities including serving on the 
Missions Committee, teaching Sunday School, sponsoring the youth group, 
helping with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes High School Huddle 
group, and participating in two mission trips to Mexico.
  Leilani always followed wherever her strong convictions led her, but 
she did it with a kind heart and was always respectful of the needs and 
concerns of people around her. She worked on numerous community 
projects. She was actively involved in the Friends of the Library and 
served as president. She worked to get the Heginbotham Library in 
Holyoke in the register of historical places. She was also part of the 
effort to raise funds and help restore the Peerless Center in Holyoke. 
She was a huge supporter of local sports, especially when her husband 
was coaching or her children were participating. Leilani also was 
actively involved in the Republican Party and served as precinct 
chairman and delegate to the State Conventions.
  When her children were out of the home, Leilani's eagerness to learn 
and grow led her to return to school and earn her Master's degree in 
agency counseling. She worked for Centennial Mental Health as a 
counselor before taking a position with the Haxtun Hospital as a Social 
Service director. While in this position, Leilani organized a cancer 
survivors support group.
  Leilani's life was a lesson in how to enjoy life, honor God, care for 
others, face difficulties with courage, and make a positive impact on 
the world. I am proud to honor Leilani who is the embodiment of all the 
values that have molded America into the great Nation it is today. 
``Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to 
come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of 
kindness. She watches over the way of her household, and does not eat 
the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her 
husband also, and he praises her: Many daughters have done well, but 
you exceed them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a 
woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised'' (Proverbs 31:25-30) 
Leilani was a precious, beautiful woman.

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