[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15863]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO SARAH JORDAN-HOLMES

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM DAVIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2006

  Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Sarah Jordan-
Holmes, an incredibly gifted leader and fundraiser who put her talents, 
her heart and her faith into improving our community.
  As President and CEO of Prevent Blindness Florida for 15 years, Sarah 
raised millions of dollars, won over countless supporters for its 
mission and brought national attention to the organization. Through her 
work, Prevent Blindness Florida earned Tampa Bay Business Journal's 
``Non-Profit of the Year Award'' in the area of Health Services, and 
Sarah earned the Association of Fundraising Professionals Lifetime 
Achievement Award.
  Prevent Blindness Florida was not the only worthy cause that was 
blessed to count Sarah as an advocate. She led fundraising campaigns 
for the Florida Museum of Science and Industry, the YMCA and the 
University of South Florida. In addition, Sarah was active in a host of 
other local community, charitable and professional organizations.
  Sarah's tireless work on behalf of the organizations she championed 
was deeply rooted in her faith and dedication to serve others. She 
served as a senior warden and vestry member of the St. James House of 
Prayer Episcopal Church, president of the board of trustees for the 
Southwest Florida Episcopal Church Foundation, member of the Diocesan 
Standing Committee and participant in the Cursillo Movement.
  It is no surprise that Sarah was so successful in her lifetime. She 
was a natural leader, a role model for everyone she met and a genuine 
go-getter. Sarah's faith and inner strength helped guide her through 
her long struggle with cancer--a challenge she faced with great 
dignity. During her lifetime, cut short by cancer, Sarah lived life to 
its fullest and gave to her family, friends and thousands of others to 
a point few people achieve in their lifetimes. Her powerful example 
will inspire many in our community and state for generations.
  Among all her accomplishments, Sarah was most proud of her role as 
wife and mother. I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to her 
family for their loss. May they find comfort in Sarah's legacy--her 
contributions to our community will not be forgotten.

                          ____________________