[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 52 (Thursday, March 29, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MS. JENNIFER VALOPPI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2012

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Women's History Month, 
I rise today to honor Ms. Jennifer Valoppi, an outstanding individual 
and leader in South Florida.
  Ms. Valoppi is a multi-Emmy Award winning TV journalist, award 
winning author and social entrepreneur. Ms. Valoppi is the President 
and Co-Founder of the Women of Tomorrow Mentor and Scholarship Program 
(WOT), a unique mentoring organization that helps young at-risk women 
live up to their full potential. She is currently engaged in expanding 
WOT nationally to inspire and motivate women across the nation. Through 
Ms. Valoppi's leadership, WOT has received national recognition and has 
been the focus of study by the Harvard Business School Community 
Partners Program.
  As lead anchor at NBC 6 WTVJ in Miami, Ms. Valoppi covered historic 
moments including the 2000 Presidential election, the Elian Gonzalez 
saga, the Versace Murder, the Olympics, and California's Northridge 
earthquake. She also took a leading role in driving the stations 
commitment to fair, accurate, and balanced journalism.
  Both Ms. Valoppi and her husband, Christian Berdouare have made 
tremendous contributions to our community and are highly admired for 
their hard work. Ms. Valoppi is a recipient of Florida Jeb Bush's 
Points of Light Award, the highest honor in Florida. She was named a 
Heavy Hitter in Non-Profit by the South Florida Business Journal. She 
has also been awarded the ``Inner Circle of 12 Distinction'' from the 
American Cancer Society and the ``Woman of Impact Award'' from the 
Women's History Coalition, among many other awards and recognitions.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Ms. Jennifer Valoppi for 
her continued service to the South Florida community and I ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing a dear friend and an exemplary 
individual.

                          ____________________