[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E82]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        HONORING MELANIE BARKER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 14, 2009

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Melanie 
Barker as the outgoing President of the Yosemite Gateway Association of 
Realtors. Ms. Barker will be recognized at the annual installation 
luncheon for the Yosemite Gateway Association of Realtors on November 
21, 2008 in Oakhurst, California.
  The Yosemite Gateway Association of Realtors (YGAOR) was first known 
as the Mountain Co-Op in 1998 with a group of eight volunteers. Today, 
the group has paid professional staff and ownership of the 
Association's building. YGAOR was responsible for developing one of the 
first computerized Multiple Listing Systems, which continues to operate 
with the latest technology. They work very closely with the California 
Association of Realtors by providing leadership at regional and 
statewide levels. YGAOR provides educational opportunities for members 
and fundraising activities that benefit local non-profit organizations 
and scholarship programs.
  Under Ms. Barker's leadership, YGAOR had a very successful year. The 
8th Annual Monster Rummage Sale was held earlier this year and raised 
over $70,000, the highest since it's establishment. The proceeds were 
donated to local non-profit charities. Over the years, the YGAOR 
Scholarship Golf Tournament has raised over $84,000 for college 
scholarships for high school seniors from local high schools. Ms. 
Barker has been instrumental in the establishment of the Women's 
Council of Realtors. She was able to establish an ``Affiliate 
Committee'' to give the Association direct communication to the Office 
of the President. The committee structure within YGAOR has become 
stronger with her leadership by prioritizing structure and establishing 
goals to be discussed at biannual meetings. Ms. Barker has successfully 
brought the Senior Real Estate Specialist designation to the area 
through the efforts of the Education Committee.
  With Ms. Barker's role at YGAOR, she has been a strong leader by 
providing a voice of optimism for local real estate. She has involved 
herself with many speaking engagements and editorial opportunities. Her 
goal was to provide a positive realtor image in the community and has 
accomplished this through her leadership during one of the toughest 
housing markets this nation has ever seen. She has been able to develop 
and build upon relationships with fellow realtors throughout the region 
and the state. She has also committed three weeks a year to further her 
education on the real estate industry and in turn, teach other members 
of YGAOR. Ms. Barker, the committee chairs and all of the volunteers 
have made 2008 a very successful year.
  In 2008, Ms. Barker was also elected as Assistant Region 12 Chair for 
the California Association of Realtors and will become the Region 12 
Chair in 2010. Prior to being named as President of YGAOR, she was the 
first Local Government Relations Chair and Government Affairs Director 
for YGAOR. In 2006, Ms. Barker became a California Golden R.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Melanie 
Barker upon her achievements. I invite my colleagues to join me in 
wishing Ms. Barker and the Yosemite Gateway Association of Realtors 
many years of continued success.

                          ____________________