[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16757]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



        TRIBUTE TO LILLIAN NOEL--PAUL HARRIS FELLOW AWARD WINNER

 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to pay 
tribute to Lillian ``Billie'' Noel for her recognition as the 
Portsmouth Rotary Club's ``Paul Harris Fellow'' award winner.
  Billie's deep commitment to preserving New Hampshire's precious 
woodlands is truly commendable. Instead of selling 35 acres of land to 
developers, Billie sold it at a reduced price to preservationists, 
ensuring the land will remain untouched for a long time. It is because 
of her dedication to assuring the future of New Hampshire's forests 
that she was honored by the Portsmouth Rotary Club in option for 
preservation over profit.
  Billie made the decision to sell her property for $600,000 to the 
Society for the Protection of New Hampshire's Forests, even though it 
is worth three times that amount. This generous sale will ensure that 
the scenic waterfront property is not touched by developers. One of the 
last remaining undeveloped pieces of land in the fast-growing seacoast 
area, residents would have lost a treasured piece of their New 
Hampshire heritage had it been sold to developers. The Society plans to 
add walking paths and areas to picnic and bird watch, preserving the 
land's charm and scenic appeal. Billie's contribution to New 
Hampshire's citizens proves that there are still people dedicated to 
saving nature's delicacy rather than making a mere profit. It is this 
type of private initiative which keeps New Hampshire as the beautiful 
``Live Free or Die'' state.
  New Hampshire is lucky to have citizens like Billie who are committed 
to saving our state's beautiful lands. Our state's scenic areas are too 
precious to lose and I commend Billie for her hard work and dedication 
to the environment. It is an honor to represent Billie in the United 
States Senate.

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