[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6967]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                        TRIBUTE TO LAYLA WILLIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THOMAS G. TANCREDO

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2000

  Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, ``We have a lot of fun. We don't sweat the 
small stuff.'' That is the message of Layla Willis, a resident of 
Evergreen, CO, who was recently named ``Mother of the Year'' by Working 
Mother magazine.
  By balancing her full time job, which requires frequent travel, with 
the daily tasks of raising three children, Layla has set an example for 
all working mothers to follow.
  The message she brings forth rings true in all our lives. Many times 
we have to stop and dwell on issues or problems that will have a 
minimal impact in the grand scheme of our lives. But the growth and 
development of our children and grandchildren is significant and 
deserves our utmost attention.
  Today, it is imperative in most homes that both parents work. My wife 
and I both worked full time jobs, as did my mother, but we can all stop 
and take steps to ensure that, regardless of this, our children never 
feel neglected. Layla has shown us all that it can be done in today's 
hectic lifestyles.
  I would also like to commend Layla for her commitment in providing 
all children with a well rounded after school curriculum. With working 
parents, many children have a void in their lives when they leave 
school. Layla realizes that students need tutoring for school subjects, 
and other extra curricular activities that develop skills such as arts 
and crafts, sports and reading.
  I urge all parents in Colorado and America who must work, to follow 
Layla's example, make your family the number one priority and stop 
sweating the small stuff.

                          ____________________