[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2606]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO LAURA KENT DONAHUE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 2003

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Laura Kent Donahue 
who has dedicated her life to serving the people of western Illinois.
  Laura had the privilege of serving in the same area her mother, Mary 
Lou Kent, represented. She began her legislative service in the State 
Senate in 1981.
  She was appointed an Assistant Majority Leader in the Illinois State 
Senate in 1997 after serving as Majority Caucus Chairman for four 
years.
  As a lawmaker, Laura secured nearly $1 billion for road and bridge 
improvements in her district since 1981.
  Her dedication to improving the funding process for downstate nursing 
homes and hospitals has earned her numerous legislative awards from the 
Illinois Association of Homes for the Aging, the Illinois Hospital 
Association, the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities and 
the Illinois Healthcare Association.
  She has devoted much of her time and energy toward finding a 
resolution to the education funding issue in Illinois.
  Laura was instrumental in bringing a juvenile prison facility to 
Rushville, adult prison facilities to Mt. Sterling and Canton and work 
camps to Clayton and Pittsfield.
  She is a member of the Vermont Street Methodist Church in Quincy.
  She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the 
Lincoln Club of Adams County and the PEO Chapter MK.
  She graduated with a bachelor's degree from Stephens College in 
Columbia, Missouri.
  She is respected by her colleagues from both political parties for 
her honesty and integrity.
  Laura will be remembered as a Senator who took her responsibility as 
an advocate for her district seriously.
  Therefore we recognize Laura Kent Donahue for her accomplishments as 
she leaves the Illinois Senate and wish her success in her future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________