[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 12, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H4236-H4237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING GINA SPAGNOLA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Weber) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WEBER of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor and recognize the 
president and CEO of the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce, a 
fighter for small businesses, an advocate for our youth, and a dear 
friend of mine, Mrs. Gina Spagnola.
  I am very proud to stand here on the House floor and celebrate the 
remarkable Gina Spagnola for her 20 years of unwavering service to the 
Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce. Under her guidance, the chamber 
has thrived.
  For over 178 years, the Galveston Regional Chamber's mission has been 
to foster business and community development, and Gina's leadership has 
elevated this historic institution to unprecedented heights.
  Gina has not only embraced this mission, she has embodied it. Her 
unwavering commitment to Galveston Island and the broader Texas Gulf 
Coast region has been a driving force behind the chamber's success.
  I could go on about the great work and things Gina has accomplished, 
but we could be here for hours. Instead, Madam Speaker, I will 
highlight a few things to give you a little picture of how lucky 
Galveston is to have her advocacy and passion for the businesses in our 
community.
  One of Gina's proudest accomplishments has been the inauguration of 
this very Galveston Women's Conference she started 16 years ago. After

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years of surprising and celebrating the amazing women in Galveston, we 
get to surprise her by celebrating her. Surprise, Gina.
  Gina's ability to build effective relationships with elected 
officials has facilitated numerous achievements.
  She championed the creation of Lemonade Day to help today's youth 
become the business leaders, the social advocates, the community 
volunteers, and the forward-thinking citizens of tomorrow.
  In times of adversity, Gina's resilience and commitment shine 
through. Just 2 months after Hurricane Ike wreaked havoc on Galveston 
Island, she spearheaded a successful recovery expo that enabled local 
businesses to reopen their doors. This initiative garnered State and 
national recognition, showcasing Gina's effectiveness in driving 
impactful initiatives. Gina's compassion extends beyond our District 14 
and its borders.
  Gina's remarkable leadership has been widely acknowledged. In 
December 2022, the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce received a 
five-star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the highest 
rating in the industry. Out of the 7,000 chambers in the Nation, only 
142 hold this prestigious distinction, with the Galveston Regional 
Chamber of Commerce being just 1 of 27 in Texas and the only one in 
Galveston County, not to mention all of the awards and recognition she 
has received and all the boards she sits on and has sat on.

  As I said, I could go on and on.
  Madam Speaker, we thank Gina for two decades of remarkable service, 
but let us also celebrate the values of dedication, leadership, and 
community that she embodies.
  Gina's legacy is one of inspiration, and we are grateful for her 
tireless efforts to make Galveston a better place. Congratulations on 
her outstanding achievements. May her journey ahead be as bright and 
rewarding as the path she has for our community.
  I thank Gina for her unwavering commitment to Galveston and the Texas 
Gulf Coast. We are very blessed to have her in our lives, and I can't 
wait to cheer her on as she continues leading this chamber to 
greatness.

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