[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING SYDNEY TALLY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 7, 2006

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance 
of Sydney Tally for her tireless commitment to better the lives of 
active duty servicemembers, retirees, veterans, and above all their 
families through a distinguished career with the National Military 
Family Association.
  Widely known and beloved in military circles, this Air Force daughter 
and Navy spouse trained as a nurse and pursued her specialty in public 
health nursing before becoming a full time mother and volunteer after 
the birth of her first child. Among many service endeavors, she freely 
devoted her time serving as teaching assistant, Brownie and Girl Scout 
leader, Red Cross pediatric nurse, and president of four naval 
officers' wives clubs.
  In 1983, she joined the NMFA government relations staff and served as 
vice president of the department from 1987 to 1990 before rising to the 
position of first paid professional staff member and director. She also 
sat on the NMFA's board of governors until her recent passing. Mrs. 
Tally used her leverage through this organization to benefit military 
families everywhere. Her focus on the military family drove her in 
creating the Military Coalition. Women, infants, and children found 
nourishment after her advocacy secured legislation for an overseas 
nutrition program targeted specifically for military families.
  Mrs. Tally received numerous awards and recognitions for her 
altruistic work, including the Military Coalition's Award of Merit, a 
Certificate of Appreciation from the Defense Commissary Agency, 1993 
Defense Transition Services Award from the University of Central 
Florida, and recognition of her outstanding citizenship by the Military 
Chaplains Association.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank Mrs. Tally for her 
life's work and continuing legacy that brought forth significant 
awareness of the needs of military families. I call upon my colleagues 
to join me in recognizing her accomplishments, and in sharing our 
condolences with her family and friends.

                          ____________________