[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 52 (Thursday, April 3, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING SARAH LONG DAMSON FOR BEING NAMED FIRST LADY OF MOBILE

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                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 3, 2008

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I 
rise today to honor Mrs. Sarah Long Damson on the occasion of her being 
named First Lady of Mobile for 2007. The Mobile chapters of Beta Sigma 
Phi, an international women's network with over 165,000 members, 
recently bestowed this honor on Sarah.
  A native of Mobile, Sarah is a tireless volunteer and has devoted her 
entire life to improving the lives of countless people who call Mobile 
and South Alabama home.
  Sarah and her husband Tom are co-owners of Long's Human Resource 
Center, a multi-million dollar business passed on to them by Sarah's 
father. She serves as chairman of the board of the 60-year-old company 
with locations in Mobile, Fairhope and Foley.
  However, Sarah's commitment to South Alabama goes far beyond the 
walls of her business. She has been active with the United Way for 
decades, and she is an emeritus board member of the organization. She 
is the first woman to lead the United Way of Southwest Alabama's annual 
fundraising campaign and head its board of trustees. She has also 
served as chairman of The Alexis de Tocqueville Society, a national 
movement within the United Way that recognizes individuals who donate 
$10,000 to $1 million annually.
  In addition to her involvement with the United Way, Sarah serves on 
various boards at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church and was the first 
woman to serve on the local Regions Bank board. She is a past president 
of the Junior League of Mobile and is also on the Board of Trustees of 
Spring Hill College. Sarah is an active member of the Mobile Chamber of 
Commerce and has served on its board of directors as well.
  A graduate of the University of Alabama, Sarah was the first woman to 
receive the prestigious Austin Cup, awarded to the most outstanding 
graduate of the University's Culverhouse College of Commerce and 
Business.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to offer my personal congratulations to 
Mrs. Sarah Long Damson for being named the First Lady of Mobile for 
2007; truly, no one is more deserving of this high honor. And in so 
doing, I would also like to recognize Sarah for her lifetime of 
outstanding professional and philanthropic accomplishments; she is 
truly a role model for our entire community.
  Furthermore, I would ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
this respected and dedicated friend to many throughout South Alabama. I 
know Sarah's family; her husband, Tom; their two wonderful daughters, 
Mary Stewart Crane and Liz Freeman; her grandchildren and her many 
friends and other family join me in praising Sarah's accomplishments 
and extending thanks for her never-ending efforts to make South Alabama 
a better place to live and call home.

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