[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 79 (Tuesday, May 15, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H3937-H3938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE 2018 EDUCATIONAL AWARD PROGRAM WINNERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Arkansas (Mr. Hill) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the 2018 winners of 
my office's Educational Award Program.
  Each year, my office recognizes students who have shown their 
continued dedication to excelling academically, leading in their 
schools, and improving in their communities. Since 2015, we have 
recognized 91 juniors and seniors from 29 high schools across Arkansas' 
Second Congressional District. These students have continuously 
demonstrated a strong commitment to community service, leadership, 
teamwork, and high academic achievement.
  It is my sincere hope that the receipt of this award serves not only 
as an honorarium for these exceptional students, but also as motivation 
for other central Arkansas students to strive for the highest levels of 
excellence both in and out of the classroom. I wish them all the best 
as they continue their studies.


             Recognizing the Achievements of Edward Poletti

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of 
Edward Poletti, chief of learning resources at Central Arkansas 
Veterans Healthcare System.
  The Library of Congress' Federal Library and Information Network has 
awarded Mr. Poletti with its Federal Librarian of the Year Award. Along 
with this honor, his name will be added to a perpetual plaque listing 
each year's recipients. Mr. Poletti is being awarded for his skill in 
survey designs, statistics, and for providing his statistical talents 
to many other librarians needing assistance with data interpretation 
and survey design.
  He is also receiving the Lois Ann Colaianni Award for Excellence and 
Achievement in Hospital Librarianship from the Medical Library 
Association.
  I honor Mr. Poletti's 36 years of service as a Federal librarian, 
assisting so many throughout Arkansas and the Nation.


    Recognizing Susan Cookus, National Female Volunteer of the Year

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Susan Cookus of the 
Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System for being named National 
Female Volunteer of the Year.
  The National Advisory Committee of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
Voluntary Service named Ms. Cookus the National Female Volunteer of the 
Year after reviewing nomination letters from the Central Arkansas VA 
and from our veterans in central Arkansas.
  Susan's dedication and service to veterans and their needs have 
earned her a great deal of appreciation, recognition, and respect over 
the years.
  Ms. Cookus is also a member of the Soldiers' Angels, a Texas-based 
nonprofit that provides aid and comfort to the men and women of the 
U.S. armed services, their families, and an expanding veteran 
population. Ms. Cookus

[[Page H3938]]

volunteered more than 570 hours and helped distribute more than 
$720,000 in donations in the past year brought in by Soldiers' Angels.
  There is no one more deserving of this award, and I am proud to have 
such a dedicated member of my district volunteering and helping our 
veterans.


  Recognizing the Lifelong Service of Esther Crawford and Emma Wilbert

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the lifelong service 
of two constituents of mine, Esther Crawford and Emma Wilbert, both of 
whom were recently inducted into the North Little Rock, Arkansas, 
Senior Citizens Hall of Fame.
  Esther serves as a board member for the North Little Rock Education 
Foundation and the William F. Laman Public Library. She has earned the 
designation of Most Vital Pal at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer 
Institute for all of her help to their multiple myeloma patients.
  Emma serves as activity director at the Campus Towers' senior public 
housing facility in North Little Rock, after she retired from a 28-year 
career with the U.S. Postal Service. She was elected as vice queen for 
the Hays Senior Citizens Center's Red Hat Society chapter for 7 years 
and serves in both the sanctuary choir and nursing home ministry of 
Greater Second Baptist Church in Little Rock.
  Senior Hall of Fame selections are bestowed every 2 years on 
individuals for their significant contributions to North Little Rock, 
Arkansas' senior citizens. I congratulate them.

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