[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 77 (Monday, May 16, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E709-E710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING EVALYNN DIAMOND

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 16, 2016

  Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 
to honor my dear friend, Evalynn (``Evy'') Diamond. Evy represented the 
best of our great State of New Mexico: she was a loving wife and 
mother, a loyal friend to so many, a brilliant, hard-working and 
talented teacher, and a dedicated activist in our community.
  Evy and her husband of 40 years, Jeff, met in 1975 when they were 
both teaching at Temple Beth Shalom in Santa Ana, California. They 
shared a love for the state of Israel and became active in the Anti-
Defamation League (ADL). She and Jeff fund ADL's A World of Difference 
program in Haifa which fosters tolerance between Jewish, Christian, and 
Muslim children. Evy made frequent trips to Israel to meet with Israeli 
leaders, journalists, and other activists, whether Jewish or Muslim, to 
uphold the values of the ADL. She was a committed activist who 
dedicated much of her life to promoting peace and cooperation.
  In addition to her work with the ADL, Evy worked tirelessly with Jeff 
to promote and fund cancer research. After their son Shannon died from 
melanoma on August 31, 2009, they established a fund in his memory at 
the University of New Mexico Cancer Center Foundation.

[[Page E710]]

The fund seeks to educate the public about early diagnosis, preventions 
and treatment of melanoma in medically underserved communities in New 
Mexico. Whether working with the ADL or funding cancer research, Evy 
has consistently demonstrated her compassion and devotion to fighting 
for important causes.
  However, Evy's greatest love, after Jeff and her sons, was her career 
as a teacher. She was an outstanding educator who instilled a love of 
learning, hard work, and excellence in all her students. Those students 
have gone on to become leaders in law enforcement, health care, and 
many other professions throughout our community. Indeed, we need more 
teachers like Evy who devote themselves to their students with passion 
and find innovative ways to teach and support her students.
  On April 18, 2016, at the age of 84, Evy passed away in her home in 
Carlsbad with Jeff and her son, Max Shaw, at her side. In addition to 
her husband Jeff and her son Max, she is survived by Shannon's wife, 
Christine, and their two children, Jacob and Marlena Shaw Davis. Evy 
was a true friend whom we will all miss dearly. I cherish our 
friendship and all of the wonderful contributions she has made to our 
state. Her memory and legacy is a blessing to us all.

                          ____________________