[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 20, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S46]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO NORMA STRABALA AND DEBBIE AHRENS

 Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, today I congratulate Norma 
Strabala as ``Citizen of the Year'' and Debbie Ahrens as ``Volunteer of 
the Year'' for Stuttgart, AR.
  I was pleased to be on-hand as Norma and Debbie were recognized 
earlier this month during the 70th Annual Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce 
Membership Meeting and Banquet in Stuttgart. I have felt a long kinship 
to Stuttgart, one of our delta communities not far from and very 
similar to my hometown of Helena. Stuttgart always feels like home, and 
I am grateful for the friendships I have made there. As members of a 
community with such a great spirit of volunteerism and caring, Norma 
and Debbie should be particularly proud of their recognitions.
  According to those who know her best, Norma always strives to help 
other people through her attitude and actions. She has consistently 
worked to establish programs that help those less fortunate. She was a 
key figure in coordinating volunteer efforts during and after the 2008 
tornado and 2009 straight-line winds that damaged much of the city, and 
during each holiday season.
  Similarly, Debbie is known throughout Stuttgart for her volunteer 
efforts. Through the years, she has been active on many local Chamber 
of Commerce committees and is a deserving recipient of the designation 
of ``Volunteer of the Year.''
  We should all embrace the spirit of service and volunteerism on 
display by these deserving individuals. I send my heartfelt 
congratulations to both Norma and Debbie.

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