[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 43 (Monday, March 9, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING MS. TAMMY BRINKER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 9, 2026

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Ms. 
Tammy Brinker for her extraordinary leadership and the transformative 
impact she has made during more than a decade of service as Chief 
Executive Officer of her organization.
  Through visionary leadership, strategic foresight, and an unwavering 
commitment to students and educators, Ms. Brinker guided the 
organization from an annual revenue of less than $100,000 to a 
thriving, mission-driven nonprofit generating more than $3 million 
annually. Under her stewardship, more than $40 million has been raised 
to support schools, teachers, and students--all while maintaining the 
highest standards of financial integrity, transparency, and 
sustainability. Ms. Brinker's legacy is defined not only by growth, but 
by meaningful impact. She has been instrumental in launching 
innovative, high-impact programs designed to remove barriers and meet 
real, tangible needs within our community. The Free Tools 4 Schools 
Store and Mobile Store have provided teachers with free classroom 
supplies, directly supporting those who dedicate their lives to 
educating the next generation. Through Operation Cinderella Boutique, 
she ensured that students could participate in milestone events with 
dignity and confidence, reinforcing that no child should miss out on 
life's important moments due to financial hardship. Her leadership also 
strengthened mentoring and scholarship initiatives such as Take Stock 
in Children, expanding access to academic support, college readiness 
resources, and postsecondary opportunities. By broadening these 
pathways, she helped countless students envision--and achieve--brighter 
futures.
  Beyond programmatic success, Ms. Brinker elevated governance and 
operational excellence. She cultivated a highly engaged Board of 
Directors and implemented sound strategic and financial practices that 
earned the trust and confidence of donors, partners, and the broader 
community. Her approach reflects not only competence, but character--
ensuring that growth was both responsible and sustainable.
  Mr. Speaker, Tammy Brinker's leadership has profoundly shaped both 
the organization she served and the countless lives it touches. Her 
vision, integrity, and steadfast dedication exemplify the very best of 
community-focused leadership. For these reasons, I am proud to 
recognize Ms. Tammy Brinker as a 2026 Hero Among Us for Florida's 12th 
Congressional District.

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