[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17897]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    PAYING TRIBUTE TO THALIA DONDERO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2006

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend, Thalia 
Dondero, for her outstanding service to the Southern Nevada community. 
She will be awarded the Public Education Foundation's Education Hero 
Award on September 16, 2006.
  Thalia moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942, and a few years later met 
and married her husband Harvey, a Las Vegas High School teacher. The 
newly married couple relocated to Carson City, Nevada in 1946 when 
Harvey went to work for the United States Office of Education.
  In 1948, Thalia and her husband moved back to Las Vegas and she began 
her involvement in public education at the Mayfield Grade School. She 
was also active in the Service League, served as director of the Las 
Vegas Girl Scouts, and was appointed to the Nevada State Parks 
Commission.
  Thalia was elected to the Clark County Commission in 1974 and served 
for 20 years, and was the first female Commissioner. During her tenure 
at the Commission, she served as Chairperson three times, and made the 
news when she refused to act as the secretary for the male members.
  Her public service continued in 1996, when she was elected to the 
Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents, where she fought to 
improve the education system in Southern Nevada. Thalia has served one 
term as Board vice chair and two terms as chair. Currently, she is 
chair of the Investment Committee and serves on several others.
  Thalia continues to be a giving public servant and a true patron of 
education. She has been appointed to many committees and boards that 
help serve the community of Southern Nevada. Thalia and her husband 
have given a great deal to the community and are invaluable residents 
of Nevada.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Thalia Dondero on the floor of 
the House. I commend her for her contributions to Southern Nevada and 
thank her for her continued service to our education system.

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