[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 172 (Thursday, November 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2829]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING MRS. DEBBIE SPERO FOR RECEIVING THE JOHN CAMPANIUS HOLM AWARD

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                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2009

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. 
Debbie Spero, recipient of the 2009 John Campanius Holm Award.
  Each year, the National Weather Service honors Cooperative Weather 
Observers with this prestigious award, named after John Holm. During 
the years 1644 and 1645, Holm recorded observations of the local 
weather twice a day, and he is the first known person to have kept 
these observations.
  Since September 1, 1985, Debbie Spero has been involved with the NWS 
Cooperative Observer Program in Bethpage, Tennessee, reporting daily 
weather and precipitation data to the Army Corps of Engineers. Her 
reports are used to document the climate of Middle Tennessee and are 
also used by local NWS officials to verify forecasts, warnings and 
precipitation patterns.
  Through her 24 year involvement, Debbie has been an incredibly 
reliable observer. Her observations are complete and in near real time. 
When she has been unable to make her observations because of illness or 
travel, she has enlisted help to ensure as few breaks in the record as 
possible.
  In her spare time, Debbie is an active community member. As a Girl 
Scout leader for more than 14 years, her troop has helped serve 
underprivileged girls in the Bethpage area by meeting with them weekly. 
Debbie also works as a Youth Leader at Grace Baptist Church and has 
served as President of the Bethpage Parent Teacher Organization.
  Each year, the John Campanius Holm award is given to only 25 
Cooperative Observers from more than 11,000 in the program. The award 
is based on complete and accurate observations, outstanding enthusiasm 
for imparting observational knowledge, and civic involvement in the 
community. The award is only given to active observers of more than 20 
years.
  Debbie, thank you for your hard work and dedication in serving your 
community. I wish you all the best in the years to come.

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