[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 176 (Thursday, December 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF DONNA WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SPENCER BACHUS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 12, 2013

  Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of her retirement, I would 
like to commend the recognition of the House to an individual who has 
had an immeasurable influence on the lives of young people in the Sixth 
District and the State of Alabama, Donna Griffin Williams.
  One of my longest-serving staff members, Donna has devoted a large 
part of her working and volunteer life to creating opportunities to 
help young people achieve their dreams and to highlighting the many 
positive things that our students are doing in their schools and 
communities.
  Donna's role as the Special Projects Coordinator in my district 
office has touched the lives of countless young people.
  As a congressman, some of my proudest moments have come when I have 
met with young people who feel called to defend freedom and serve our 
country in the U.S. military. That is why a function of my office that 
I have always taken most seriously is the nomination of students to 
attend a Service Academy. Donna has expertly coordinated this process 
for me, and over the years it has been a privilege and an honor to have 
been of help to so many outstanding young people with high character 
and an abiding love for America.
  Donna has also served as our local organizer for the annual 
Congressional Art Competition, which provides students with the 
opportunity to have their original artwork displayed at the U.S. 
Capitol. This competition attracts entries from schools across the 
Sixth District and is a public showcase for the positive 
accomplishments of our students.
  Donna has also been a principal organizer of a program that brings 
great joy to my wife Linda and I during each Christmas season, the 
Holiday Card Call for Art. This program, run in cooperation with the 
University of Alabama at Birmingham, invites students with visual 
impairments to submit artwork for our annual Christmas card. The 
breadth of the creativity is inspiring and Donna has always worked to 
encourage an excellent level of participation by students and their 
schools.
  Donna's concern for young people has extended beyond work to her 
civic and volunteer activities. She has provided service as President 
of the Alabama PTA Board of Directors, a National PTA Board Director, a 
member of the Mayor's Education Committee, past president of the 
Vestavia Hills City School Foundation, and member of the A+ Foundation 
Board. Donna's many other community contributions include her service 
on the Board of the American Village Citizenship Trust, VIP for United 
Cerebral Palsy, and her involvement with Leadership Vestavia Hills and 
Leadership Alabama.
  Donna would be the first to say that she has been blessed with a 
supportive and loving family which includes her husband of 46 years, 
George, three grown children, and five grandchildren with a sixth soon 
on the way.
  For her service to the residents of the Sixth District and especially 
the young people who will be the future leaders in our communities, 
Donna Williams is well-deserving of this recognition and I extend my 
heartfelt gratitude to her for her loyalty and friendship.

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