[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 131 (Thursday, September 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   PAYING TRIBUTE TO SHALIMAR CABRERA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 6, 2007

  Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Shalimar Cabrera for 
her tireless efforts on behalf of the homeless veterans in the Las 
Vegas community.
  Shalimar is a native of the Philippines who immigrated to Las Vegas 
at the age of thirteen months. Raised in Las Vegas, Shalimar began her 
active role in community service while attending Bishop Gorman High 
School and continued through her college years. She volunteered with 
groups such as the North Las Vegas Housing Authority's Casa Rosa Youth 
Program, Shade Tree, Ronald McDonald House, Clinic on Wheels, and 
assisting on the Sunrise Hospital pediatric floor.
  Inspired by the emotional rewards of community service, Shalimar co-
founded a service group at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas while 
working on a degree in biology. The group gave students the resources 
to become active in their community through various service projects 
and volunteer opportunities.
  As a devoted advocate of community-based work, Shalimar continued to 
follow her passion by becoming an Outreach Specialist for the United 
States Veterans Initiative in Las Vegas (U.S. VETS--LAS VEGAS). Since 
2003 she has worked closely with homeless veterans, addressing their 
needs and providing assistance and inspiration to help them abandon 
life on the streets. Her eagerness to go above and beyond in her 
service to veterans was recognized and she soon became the Las Vegas 
AmeriCorps Program Director for the U.S. VETS program.
  Motivated by her experience working with the U.S. VETS, Shalimar 
applied to the Masters Program in Social Work at UNLV, which she began 
in 2003. In 2006 Shalimar earned her Master's in Social Work 
Administration and was promptly promoted to National AmeriCorps 
Director for the U.S. VETS program. Shalimar now oversees ten U.S. VETS 
AmeriCorps programs across the country which serve more than 10,000 
homeless veterans each year.
  Shalimar's lifelong commitment to community service endears her to 
the people of Las Vegas and serves as an inspiration to us all. Madam 
Speaker, I am proud to honor Shalimar Cabrera. On behalf of U.S. 
veterans, I would like to personally thank her for work serving those 
who have served the United States. I wish her continued success as she 
helps out those who need it most.

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