[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 160 (Tuesday, September 30, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S6872]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO BRENDA GALLAGHER AND PAM HALSEY

 Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am honored to recognize Brenda 
Gallagher of Meredith and Pam Halsey of Center Harbor as September's 
Granite Staters of the Month. Pam and Brenda have tirelessly worked to 
protect our environment, including by promoting the preservation of 
habitats for New Hampshire birds.
  Pam and Brenda share a love of swimming and a deep appreciation for 
the loon, a black and white bird that is prolific in the Lakes Region, 
and is known for its haunting call. The loon is a symbol of the wild 
beauty of our State, but the local birds have been threatened by lead 
poisoning from fishing tackles. Brenda's aunt was one of the founding 
members of the Loon Preservation Committee and taught Brenda the 
importance of safeguarding the birds and their habitats. Both women 
grew up vacationing on Lake Winnipesaukee and now live in the Lakes 
Region full-time. In 2015, the two friends decided to swim around the 
islands of Lake Winnipesaukee to raise awareness of both loon 
preservation and the importance of maintaining good water quality in 
New Hampshire's lakes.
  Continuing their advocacy for New Hampshire's lakes, this year Pam 
and Brenda decided to push themselves even further and tackle all of 
the islands in Squam Lake. During the months of July and August, they 
swam around 28 of Squam's islands, islands that ranged in circumference 
from 0.12 miles to 2.6 miles, completing swims around one to four 
islands per day as part of their goal to swim around each island. And 
they weren't alone on these swims. In addition to friends and family 
who helped ferry them out to the islands in small boats and kept them 
safe from other oncoming boats, they were also often joined by loons. 
The daunting feat was their way of raising awareness for their cause of 
protecting loons and New Hampshire's lakes.
  Pam and Brenda's dedication to the conservation of our State's lakes 
and wildlife is a true example of the Granite State spirit of outdoor 
stewardship. Their steadfast and heartfelt commitment to New 
Hampshire's wilderness is why I am privileged to name them September's 
Granite Staters of the month.

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