[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 64 (Wednesday, May 11, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E856]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO JOAN BALLANTYNE

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                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2011

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievement of 
one of my constituents, Joan Ballantyne of Cherokee, Iowa. Joan was 
recently honored by the National Association of Realtors with their 
``Meritorious Service Award''.
  The National Association of Realtors is America's largest trade 
association with more than a million members nationwide. The 
Association developed the Meritorious Service Award as a way to provide 
recognition to those who go above and beyond in their service to NAR. 
The presentation of this award to Joan embodies the long-standing 
tradition that its recipients are not only experts of their industry, 
but also effective educators for me and other Members of Congress on 
the issues of concern to realtors across this great nation.
  This national award is only bestowed upon two Realtors in America 
annually. This achievement requires a demonstrable history of 
dedication and commitment to the Association while understanding, and 
advocating for, the most important issues facing the real estate 
industry and realtors in Iowa and across the nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to know and to work with Joan and I am 
proud to represent such an exemplary and dedicated Iowan. Her passion 
has taken her all around Iowa, and all around the country, to promote 
the ideals in which she believes. I know that my colleagues in the 
United States Congress will join me in congratulating Joan on her well 
deserved recognition of a job well done. Again, I thank Joan for her 
continued, unwavering commitment to her passion, her career and her 
fellow realtors and I offer her my best wishes for continued success in 
the future.

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