[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 9]
[EX]
[Pages 12570-12571]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          LYNDA SCOTT EVERETT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 10, 2002

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
special lady who is not only a constituent, but a close personal 
friend, Lynda Scott Everett. On July 11, 2002, Lynda will receive the 
Texas Council of Community MHMR Centers' ``Betty Hardwick Best of Texas 
Award'' for her long and distinguished record of service and commitment 
to providing the citizens of Texas with the best possible mental 
health, mental retardation, and substance abuse services. Lynda is only 
the second person to receive this distinguished recognition.
  Concerned about the quality of care her son, Andy, who suffers from 
autism and mental retardation, was receiving, Lynda became a tireless 
voice for those who could not speak out for themselves. She began her 
volunteerism for the mentally disabled as a consultant for the Tri-
County MHMR in Montgomery County, Texas. She was then appointed to the 
Board of Trustees in 1989 and continued her fight for better services, 
stronger rights, and additional funds for more effective medications 
for those who are disabled. Lynda's presence was quickly felt as she 
attended hearings, meetings and conventions in order to improve the 
lives of individuals with mental disabilities, as well as their 
families. Her work expanded her cause across the state of Texas when 
she was appointed by Governor George W. Bush to the Texas Board of 
Mental Health and Mental Retardation in 1999.
  As part of Lynda's efforts to help the mentally disabled, she also 
has been a member of

[[Page 12571]]

the Texas State Autism Task Force, served on the Montgomery County 
United Way Campaign Cabinet, as a Board member of the Texas Council of 
Community MHMR Centers and the Mental Health Association in Texas, as 
well as being president and co-founder of the Citizens for the 
Developmentally Disabled.
  While Lynda was also a recipient of the Montgomery County Women of 
Distinction Award from 1997-1999, I am personally grateful for her role 
as a key, and indispensable member of my first U.S. congressional 
campaign committee.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Lynda Scott Everett on her hard 
work and dedication to the mentally and physically disabled on behalf 
of the eighth Congressional District of Texas. She not only is an 
exemplary Texan, but an exemplary American with a wonderful heart and 
inspiring courage. As Cindy Sill, Executive Director of the Tri-County 
MHMR, who nominated Lynda for the ``Betty Hardwick Best of Texas 
Award'' said, ``She began her journey into advocacy and volunteer work 
to help her son, but quickly expanded her focus and has spoken for 
countless individuals whose voices are often not heard or ignored, . . 
. She makes a difference in countless lives throughout Texas.''

                          ____________________