[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           A TRIBUTE TO THE GAUDET FAMILY OF MOBILE, ALABAMA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 9, 2008

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Gaudet 
Family of Mobile, AL. For years, Steve and Lydia Gaudet, along with 
their eight children, have given back to the community by donating 
their time and services to improve the lives of others.
  At the encouragement of their friends, colleagues, and those grateful 
to have received their assistance. the Gaudet family was chosen for 
some very special recognition of their own. Earlier this year, the 
family was chosen by the popular ABC television show, ``Extreme 
Makeover: Home Edition'' for a new home.
  Six of the eight Gaudet children: Joseph, Chris, Todd, Patrick, 
Michael, and Peter, live at home with their parents, Steve and Lydia. 
Steve had recently been laid off from his job with a tire manufacturer, 
and Lydia works for Goodwill Easter Seals. Despite their own hardships, 
the entire family volunteers with United Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome 
Society of Mobile, and Camp Smile-A-Mile. a camp for disabled children 
and adults.
  In February, the crew of ``Extreme Makeover: Home Edition'' arrived 
at the family's home to surprise them with the announcement they had 
been selected for the show. Steve and Lydia, along with six of their 
children, lived in an 1,100 square-foot, three-bedroom, one-bathroom 
home that was 50 years old and still under a bright blue roof tarp due 
to damage sustained by Hurricane Katrina over 2 years ago.
  In ``Extreme Makeover'' style, the family was sent on a well-
deserved, week-long, all-expense paid vacation to a resort in Arizona 
and given tickets to the Super Bowl. While the Gaudets were away, the 
family's old home was torn down and replaced with a new 3,500 square-
foot home in just 106 hours.
  Father and son builders, Frank Lott, Jr., and Frank Lott III, of 
Heritage Homes of Mobile, worked day and night alongside as many as 
1,500 volunteer workers to finish the Gaudet home. In addition to the 
volunteers, numerous local firms contributed materials to the project 
and members of the community made monetary donations to the family. CVS 
Pharmacy donated $100,000 to Camp Smile-A-Mile and an additional 
$50,000 to be used to pay for medical bills related to the special 
needs of their son, Peter.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting the Gaudet 
family for their selfless contributions to the City of Mobile. Despite 
their own needs, the entire family is devoted to making south Alabama a 
better place to live. I would also like to commend ABC network, the 
entire crew of ``Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,'' Frank Lott, Jr., 
Frank Lott, III, as well as all of the staff at Heritage Homes, and the 
volunteers who contributed to providing a beautifuI new home for a 
truly deserving family.

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