[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 1 (Monday, January 4, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        HONORING JENNIFER STONE

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 4, 2016

  Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 
to honor a constituent and long-time colleague, Jennifer Stone. 
Jennifer represents the best of our great State of New Mexico: she is a 
loving parent, a loyal friend to so many, a brilliant, hardworking and 
talented professional, and a dedicated member of her community. She is 
also my dear friend.
  Jennifer was born in Los Alamos, New Mexico on November 1, 1965, to 
Peggy and Sid Pinkston. In 1985, she was the Grand Worthy Advisor of 
the State of New Mexico for the Order of Rainbow for Girls, an 
organization dedicated to empowering young women with leadership, 
public speaking, project management, teamwork and interpersonal 
communication skills.
  Jennifer was always a brilliant student. In 1983, she graduated a 
year early from Los Alamos High School and then enrolled in the 
University of New Mexico where she met her future husband, Chip Stone, 
and subsequently graduated in 1988. While an undergraduate, Jennifer 
worked full time from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Rodey Law Firm, one of 
Albuquerque's oldest and most prestigious firms. Somehow, Jennifer 
found the energy to work until midnight, go home, do her homework, 
sleep a little, and then wake up fresh for another day while 
maintaining a full course load. After graduating, she attended the 
University of New Mexico School of Law, and on the first day of her 
third year, her son Jordan was born. During that third year of law 
school, in addition to being a new mother, Jennifer was also the Lead 
Articles Editor for the New Mexico Law Review from 1990-1991. In 1991, 
Jennifer graduated cum laude, Order of the Coif, and was the 
University's recipient of the Outstanding Clinical Law Student Award. 
Following graduation, her impressive legal career included being: an 
associate at the Rodey Law Firm (where she had previously clerked 
during the summers while she attended law school), an Assistant 
Attorney General for the State of New Mexico, in-house counsel for the 
Sun Healthcare Group, a partner at the Miller Law Firm, and General 
Counsel and Deputy Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Department of 
Health. She then returned to her beloved Rodey Law Firm, where she 
remains a partner and shareholder.
  I met Jennifer through our children and their schools and our 
families have been close ever since. I even had the opportunity to work 
professionally with Jennifer when she was General Counsel and Deputy 
Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Health while I was 
serving as the Secretary of the Department. I already knew that 
Jennifer was a gifted legal writer and researcher, but she proved to be 
the best teammate I could have ever asked for. Jennifer managed all 
litigation brought against the Department and provided me with stellar 
advice and penetrating wisdom on how to better operate the Department. 
Her intellect, professionalism, and passion enabled us to help many New 
Mexicans.
  Jennifer is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Southwest Super 
Lawyers for her expertise and experience in healthcare law. In 2009, 
Jennifer was selected by New Mexico Business Weekly as one of New 
Mexico's ``Best of the Bar.'' Jennifer has had an outstanding legal 
career and New Mexico is fortunate to have her.
  Chip and Jennifer married on May 30, 1987, and have two wonderful 
children. Jordan, 25, lives and works in Denver, and Caitlin is a 22-
year-old senior at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. 
On December 15, 2015, Caitlin gave birth to Jennifer and Chip's first 
grandchild, a beautiful girl named Catarina Elyse Martinez.
  Jennifer has many hobbies. She took up knitting in middle school and 
became a world class knitter, making beautiful creations for friends 
and family. Jennifer and Chip traveled frequently to Grateful Dead 
concerts prior to Jerry Garcia's death in 1995, and have collected 
Grateful Dead and rock poster art for decades. In recent years, 
Jennifer and Chip have been devoted to indoor and outdoor rock 
climbing.
  Jennifer has remained steadfast in her determination to bring good 
things to our community despite the burdens of living with ovarian 
cancer. Even while undergoing cancer treatments, Jennifer participated 
in the HERA Women's Cancer Foundation's Climb4Life in Boulder, 
Colorado, to raise funds for research to eliminate ovarian cancer. That 
year, Jennifer was the only participant who climbed outdoors in Boulder 
Canyon, despite active cancer treatment. This came as no surprise to me 
as she is one of the most determined and energetic people I know.
  Jennifer is one of my oldest and dearest friends. It has been 
difficult to watch such a close friend, so loving a mother, such a 
skilled and hard-working colleague, and such a dedicated member of our 
community struggle with this terrible disease. I cherish our friendship 
and all of the wonderful contributions she has made to our state.

                          ____________________