[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 114 (Friday, August 2, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO LAURA JACKSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 2013

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize 
Laura Jackson for being named a 2013 Women of Influence honoree by the 
award-winning central Iowa publication, Business Record.
   Each year, Business Record undertakes an exhaustive review to 
identify a standout group of women in the Greater Des Moines area who, 
as the publication notes, ``have made a difference.'' An impressive 
group of inspiring female leaders are selected annually for this 
prestigious distinction, which is based on combined criteria of 
community involvement, career success, and being a role model for other 
women to emulate. The 2013 Women of Influence honorees join an 
impressive roster of more than 130 women who have changed and are 
continuing to change our communities for the better.
   Laura Jackson is motivated by the responsibility of other people 
counting on her. As Executive Vice President of Wellmark Blue Cross and 
Blue Shield, she takes this attitude with her every day on the job 
while also focusing on being the best team player she can be. At each 
stage of her thriving career, Mrs. Jackson can think of key advice from 
mentors that guided her own decisions--which in turn has helped her 
guide others as a human resources professional. She currently chairs 
the Wellness Council of Iowa and co-chairs the Capital Crossroads 
Wellness Capital working group. She also serves on the boards of the 
Iowa Healthcare Collaborative, the Healthiest State Initiative and the 
YMCA of Greater Des Moines.
   Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to represent leaders like Laura 
Jackson in the United States Congress, and I am pleased to recognize 
her for working to better both her community and the great state of 
Iowa. I invite my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating 
her on receiving this esteemed designation, thanking those at Business 
Record for their great work, and wishing each member of the 2013 Women 
of Influence class continued success.

                          ____________________