[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 118 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING REPRESENTATIVE ELENA PARENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2012

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Georgia 
State Representative Elena Parent on the occasion of her retirement 
from the Georgia General Assembly. In her short time in the Georgia 
State House, Elena has made a profound impact on the Georgia 
Legislature, and I know that she will be missed by her constituents 
from the 81st District.
  Outside of public office, Elena is incredibly involved in the Metro 
Atlanta community, currently serving on the Foundation Board of the 
Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, the Advisory Board of Directors 
of It's a Journey, Inc., and the Women and Minorities in the Profession 
Committee of the State Bar of Georgia. She has also conducted 
fundraising and development efforts for HOPE Atlanta, a homelessness-
prevention non-profit. I commend her for such meaningful service to the 
people of Georgia.
  Elena recently announced that she will begin working as the Executive 
Director of Georgia Watch, a consumer advocacy group, at the end of her 
term this year. Having already received numerous awards for her 
leadership, including inclusion in the Atlanta Business Cronicle's ``40 
Under 40,'' Elena is an excellent choice for this position, and I look 
forward to hearing of her successes in the future.
  I wish Elena, her husband, Briley, and their son, Brooks, the very 
best.

                          ____________________