[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16552]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING MS. NORCELLA GIBSON FOR RECEIVING THE KINDRED SPIRIT AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2006

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you to acknowledge the 
good deeds of a caring and compassionate woman who has been an 
effective advocate for defenseless animals. Ms. Norcella ``Sally'' 
Gibson is the creator of Lucky Cat Rescue, an organization established 
to save the lives of stray and feral cats.
  Along with rescuing and re-homing over 250 cats each year, Ms. Gibson 
can add to her resume the Kindred Spirit Award from the Doris Day 
Foundation. The award is given to people who show extreme kindness and 
compassion to animals. By founding an organization that gives cats and 
kittens medical attention, foster care, proper diet, and loving homes, 
Sally Gibson was a first-rate candidate.
  Sally, the Executive Assistant to the Chief of Pediatrics at the 
University of Maryland Hospital for Children, is known for her devotion 
to the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable, animals and 
children.
  Lucky Cat Rescue takes in cats and kittens that are considered 
``unadoptable'' by other shelters. In fact, these are the cats that 
would potentially be euthanized. Ms. Gibson maintains three feral cat 
colonies. She and other volunteers offer these cats a home and foster 
families. Proud foster parents report back with incredible success 
stories.
  Lucky Cat Rescue also serves as an educational organization. They 
provide information and resources to surrounding communities regarding 
the spaying and neutering of cats in order to reduce the amount of 
unwanted litters.
  I believe it is important to protect animals. I proudly became a 
cosponsor of the Pet Animal Welfare Statue (PAWS) of 2005. This 
legislation regulates the pet industry and requires all commercial 
breeders to comply with basic animal welfare rules.
  We live in a fast-paced world. Often times, the needs of animals can 
get overlooked. Ms. Gibson's, Lucky Cat Rescue is a place that shelters 
these creatures from cruelty. It gives me great pleasure to have a 
strong organization such as this in the Second Congressional District 
of Maryland.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to bring before you today a woman with such a 
strong sense of empathy and humanity. The acts of kindness she has 
shown saved the lives of hundreds of animals. Ms. Norcella Gibson is 
worthy of great recognition for her kindheartedness.

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