[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 24, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S5263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DIANNE PAQUETTE

 Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am honored to recognize as July's 
Granite Stater of the Month an individual who truly embodies the best 
of New Hampshire's all-hands-on-deck spirit, consistently rolling up 
her sleeves and helping her community, Dianne Paquette of Salem, NH.
  Dianne's efforts started with two elementary school playgrounds that 
needed repairs. She led efforts to raise money to repair the 
playgrounds because, in her words, ``somebody has to.'' After she was 
successful in her fundraising efforts for the playgrounds, Dianne moved 
on to other town landmarks and was instrumental in raising funds and 
gathering volunteers for several projects, including restoring the 
historic Salem Depot Train Station.
  Dianne has formed a core group of friends--a group that she calls the 
Village--made up of law enforcement officials, firefighters, and 
Granite Staters who share her commitment to helping their community. 
Recently, Dianne and the Village have focused on helping those in need 
after two separate apartment fires in Salem. She helped organize a 
spaghetti dinner that raised nearly $6,000 and then, following a second 
fire, and with the help of firefighters working in the kitchen, a 
pancake breakfast that raised over $5,000.
  Dianne said that these fires increased awareness about an issue that 
is near to her heart, the lack of affordable housing in the Salem area. 
The funds she helped raise are going to address many of the challenges 
the victims of the fires will face, including relocating. As she said, 
you can't fix everything with pancakes and spaghetti, but you can do 
what you can to help.
  Dianne reminds us all that sometimes helping your community is about 
being the person to take the first step and voice the idea, and her 
efforts to mobilize friends and neighbors to work together has made a 
difference throughout her community. For her dedication to Salem, I am 
proud to recognize Dianne as July's Granite Stater of the 
Month.

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