[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 132 (Tuesday, December 5, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2091]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PAYING TRIBUTE TO LINDA SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 2006

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Linda Smith for her 
tireless efforts as a fundraising specialist for Opportunity Village, a 
laudable organization that provides vocational training and advocacy 
for the disabled.
  Linda has been a major force at Opportunity Village in planning and 
developing fundraising strategies, most notably the privately-funded, 
multi-million dollar capital campaigns to build the Opportunity Village 
campuses and training centers that have served thousands of disabled 
people. Linda oversees the Opportunity Village Resource Development 
Department, which generates millions of dollars annually for programs 
for people with profound disabilities through special events and annual 
giving programs she has largely pioneered.
  Her tenacity and dedication have resulted in the involvement of 
vocalist Celine Dion in the Opportunity Village mission, culminating a 
performance at a benefit concert on the Las Vegas Strip in honor of 
Opportunity Village's 50th birthday. Linda has also initiated capital 
campaigns totaling more than $48 million including the Leid Opportunity 
Campus on West Oakey Blvd., the Walters Family Campus in Henderson, the 
Culinary Training Center on the Opportunity Village main campus and the 
Southwest campus at Buffalo and Patrick.
  For her efforts, Linda has received numerous accolades, including: 
being named the ``Fundraising Executive of the Year'' by the National 
Society of Fundraising Executives, receiving the Woman of Achievement 
Award from the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, being named an honorary 
member of the Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, and being named ``Nevada Woman 
of the Year'' in 1994.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Linda Smith. Her hard work has 
allowed Opportunity Village to grow exponentially and enrich countless 
lives. I applaud her efforts and wish her the best in her future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________