[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 139 (Wednesday, September 30, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S9976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          TRIBUTE TO AMY MEYER

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate a 
distinguished Illinois resident, Amy Meyer. Ms. Meyer is this year's 
recipient of the Service to America National Security and International 
Affairs Medal. This award honors Federal employees who have made 
significant contributions to our nation through their actions in the 
field of national security.
  Since 2006, Ms. Meyer has served as the Director of the U.S. Agency 
for International Development's Office of Economic Growth in Pakistan. 
In this, her first Foreign Service assignment, Ms. Meyer has overseen 
an expansion of Pakistan's Office of Economic Growth from a small, two-
person operation with a $7 million budget into a $200 million 
initiative.
  Ms. Meyer has dedicated herself to leading the U.S. effort to foster 
economic growth in the country. Through her collaborative approach and 
the development of a wide range of programs, Ms. Meyer is bringing 
change to a country facing many problems, including a crippling energy 
crisis and the growing influence of the Taliban.
  Of the many programs Ms. Meyer has developed, several focus on 
assisting the women of Pakistan. Among them is the Empower Pakistan: 
Agriculture Program. Through this program 1 million women will join 
dairy cooperatives where they will collect and store milk to be sold 
later at markets. Women who participate in this program will be able to 
earn income from these sales. Ms. Meyer also conducts focus groups for 
women in her own home and leads a yoga program which airs on Pakistani 
television.
  As the 2009 Service to America National Security and International 
Affairs Medalist, Amy Meyer is honored for her commitment to working 
with the people of Pakistan to bring about economic growth and 
stability. I commend Ms. Meyer on her work in the Office of Economic 
Growth and congratulate her on receiving the National Security and 
International Affairs Medal.

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