[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 194 (Tuesday, December 18, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2600]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF STEPHANIE C. KOPELOUSOS

                                 florida
                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 18, 2007

  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of 
Stephanie C. Kopelousos, the Secretary of the Florida Department of 
Transportation.
  Throughout her nearly 15 year public service career, Stephanie C. 
Kopelousos has worked in both State and Federal public policy, with a 
particular emphasis in transportation. Her impressive rise to Florida's 
Secretary of Transportation is well deserved and notable.
  Stephanie C. Kopelousos is the first woman to serve as Secretary of 
Transportation of Florida. She oversees more than 7,000 employees and 
an annual budget of $8 billion. In an industry so critical to our 
economy such as transportation, it is sad that women are 
underrepresented. I hope that her status inspires other women to follow 
in her success. I believe her leadership will fuel Florida's continued 
economic growth and enhance Floridian's quality of life.
  Secretary Kopelousos has served in several capacities in Florida's 
Department of Transportation since 2001. Prior to becoming Secretary, 
she was Interim Secretary and Chief of Staff, providing day-to-day 
management and directing legislative issues since December 2005. From 
2001 to 2005, Secretary Kopelousos served as the primary federal 
liaison for the Florida Departments of Transportation and Community 
Affairs in Washington, D.C. Her policy portfolio included 
transportation, emergency management and disaster relief, and housing.
  Her career boasts helping Florida receive its fair share of federal 
transportation funding as federal liaison for Florida Department of 
Transportation. In addition, her efforts during two back-to-back 
hurricane seasons in 2004 and 2005 helped Florida receive significant 
disaster-related assistance.
  A graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in Political 
Science, Secretary Kopelousos has proven herself to be a great asset to 
Florida's transportation needs. I am pleased to honor Stephanie C. 
Kopelousos for her distinguished accomplishment and her many years of 
outstanding service, and to thank her for her extraordinary dedication 
to the people of Florida.

                          ____________________