[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 29, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S3501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING LEIGH ANNE GILBERT

 Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the efforts 
of a Floridian who has worked to make a difference in an underserved 
part of our world. Leigh Anne Gilbert, who recently returned to her 
hometown of Orlando, has spent the past 3 years establishing the 
Rainbow Primary Neighborhood School in Masthan Nagar, Hyderabad, India.
  After her husband's job relocated the couple to an undeveloped part 
of India, Leigh Anne recognized the need to serve her new community and 
began work on a school to serve the area's children. Through the 
support of charitable organizations, Leigh Anne raised the funds 
necessary to charter and construct the Rainbow Primary Neighborhood 
School, which now serves more than 300 impoverished children living in 
the small Indian village.
  Leigh Anne was responsible for bringing together all those involved 
in building and operating the school--the designers, construction 
workers, local government, teachers, and staff. She even recruited the 
services of the Naandi Foundation--a worldwide charitable organization 
fighting poverty and malnourishment--which delivers meals to the school 
and provides the students health care. Work on the school began in 
early 2007 and it was completed in March of this year.
  The effort tested Leigh Anne's physical and mental fortitude as she 
worked tirelessly for the past 3 years to bring all the partners to the 
table. The project required patience, persistence, and cooperation from 
government officials, community leaders, and charity organizations. On 
Web posts, Leigh Anne reflected on the project and offered words of 
advice to those pursuing similar ventures: ``The number one lesson 
learned: Get partners--rugged, go-to, and knowledgeable partners--then 
leverage the partnerships to meet needs. None of us can go it alone.''
  On behalf of Florida and the people of the United States, I would 
like to honor Leigh Anne Gilbert for the tremendous example she has set 
and the good work she has accomplished.

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