[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 101 (Wednesday, June 18, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         DONNA SHALALA, PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM RECIPIENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 18, 2008

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and happiness 
that our country is honoring one of South Florida's most outstanding 
citizens and a dear friend, Dr. Donna Shalala. This week Dr. Shalala 
will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest 
civilian award in the United States. This is indeed a tremendous honor 
and her lifetime of service to our Nation is a testament to her 
humility of character and steadfastness of vision. She was born in 
Cleveland and graduated from the Western College for Women. Dr. 
Shalala's enthusiasm for education did not cease after she received her 
bachelor's degree but grew alongside her passion for government and 
civic service as witnessed by the time she spent as a Peace Corps 
volunteer.
  Having received her masters and then doctorate at Syracuse 
University, Dr. Shalala started an illustrious teaching career that 
started at the City University of New York and continued at Columbia. 
With great teaching experience, she commenced her professional path in 
academic administration as the President of Hunter College, then as the 
Chancellor of Wisconsin-Madison and finally in the position she now 
holds as the President of the University of Miami, my alma mater.
  Dr. Shalala's career has also expanded into the realm of government 
where she has held many positions in varying departments. She was the 
Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research in the Carter 
administration and the Chair of the Children's Defense Fund in 1992. 
Most significantly, she was the Secretary of Health and Human Service 
for the eight years of the Clinton administration.
  In March of 2007, Dr. Shalala was named co-chair, along with former 
Senator Bob Dole, of the President's Commission on Care for America's 
Returning Wounded Warriors. Her knowledge and experience with the 
health care system proved invaluable as the Commission crafted its 
final report.
  I am proud to represent Donna Shalala as a Congresswoman and 
delighted to share in this momentous occasion with her family and 
peers. More importantly I am honored to call her a friend.

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