[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 45 (Monday, March 16, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E669]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING STEPHANIE C. KOPELOUSOS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 16, 2009

  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker I rise today to honor 
a great leader from the State of Florida, Stephanie C. Kopelousos. She 
was appointed Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation in 
2007 and since then has been working to ensure our safety on Florida's 
roads.
  Secretary Kopelousos got her start in public service right here in 
the halls of Congress in 1993 as a Legislative Assistant to then 
Congresswoman Tillie K. Fowler of Florida's 4th District and Chair of 
the Transportation Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and 
Emergency Management.
  In 2001 she joined the Florida Department of Transportation as their 
primary federal liaison in Washington, D.C. focusing on transportation, 
emergency management and disaster relief, and housing. She was 
instrumental in negotiations during the reauthorization of the federal 
transportation bill. In 2005 she became the Department's Chief of 
Staff, and in early 2007 was appointed Interim Secretary.
  Secretary Kopelousos carries with her more than a decade of 
professional experience in state and federal public policy, with a 
particular emphasis in transportation. As Secretary, she oversees more 
than 7,000 employees and an annual budget of $8 billion, always keeping 
with the agency's mission of providing a safe transportation system 
that fuels economic growth and enhances quality of life for all 
Floridians.
  As we celebrate Women's History Month, I ask you to join me in 
congratulating Secretary Stephanie C. Kopelousos for her commitment to 
ensuring a safe and efficient transportation system in Florida and her 
invaluable contributions in the field of public service.

                          ____________________