[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 42 (Thursday, March 21, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E361]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JENNIFER SOMA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 2013

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize 
Jennifer Soma for being named a 2013 Forty Under 40 honoree by the 
award-winning central Iowa publication, Business Record.
   Since 2000, Business Record has undertaken an exhaustive annual 
review to identify a standout group of young leaders in the Greater Des 
Moines area who are making an impact in their communities and their 
careers. Each year, forty up-and-coming community and business leaders 
under 40 years of age are selected for this prestigious distinction, 
which is based on a combined criteria of community involvement and 
success in their chosen career field. The 2013 class of Forty Under 40 
honorees join an impressive roster of 560 business leaders and growing.
   Jennifer Soma oversees product development and new initiatives in 
the individual disability insurance business for Principal Financial 
Group Inc. In this role, Jennifer serves as a liaison between the 
operations, quality assurance and information technology facets of the 
business. Outside of the office, Jennifer spends nearly 30 hours a week 
in various volunteer roles to make her community better. One of Ms. 
Soma's biggest passions is her dedication to animal welfare. Before 
working for Principal, Jennifer worked for the Animal Rescue League of 
Iowa in numerous roles including major rescue efforts in the aftermath 
of Hurricane Katrina and Iowa flooding. Ms. Soma certainly takes her 
causes home with her as she shares her Ankeny home with her four senior 
rescue dogs and continues to advocate for animals through her efforts 
at Iowa Voters for Companion Animals/Iowa Friends of Companion Animals. 
Also a big supporter and alumnus of Drake University, Jennifer 
currently chairs Drake's Graduate Student Advisory Council. Last year, 
Jennifer's numerous volunteer efforts earned her the recognition of the 
U.S. Presidential Volunteer Service Award--Gold Level for volunteering 
more than 1,000 hours of her time. In all facets of her life, Jennifer 
is an example of hard work and service that our state can be proud of.
   Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like 
Jennifer in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that 
I recognize and applaud Ms. Soma for utilizing her talents to better 
both her community and the great state of Iowa. I invite my colleagues 
in the House to join me in congratulating Jennifer on receiving this 
esteemed designation, thanking those at Business Record for their great 
work, and wishing each member of the 2013 Forty Under 40 class 
continued success.

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