[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21755]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING DEBRA NAUMAN, CHAIR AND FOUNDER OF GIANT STEPS OF ILLINOIS

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                           HON. JUDY BIGGERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding woman 
whose commitment and passion for a great cause led her to accomplish a 
very good thing for her community and state.
  The woman is Debra Nauman. The cause is educating autistic children. 
And the very good thing accomplished is a place called Giant Steps, 
Illinois.
  When Debra's son Riley entered pre-school, she became concerned about 
the quality of education he would receive as an autistic child. But 
instead of becoming disheartened, Debra Nauman became inspired. She was 
determined to provide her son with an education that would facilitate 
his mental and physical progression.
  Her resolve led her to Giant Steps, a school for children with 
autism, in Montreal, Canada. Here was a school that featured an 
environment that nurtured the autistic mind and provided therapeutic 
services. Here was what she was seeking for Riley. But here--Montreal, 
Canada--was a very long way away from her home and business in 
Illinois.
  So when Debra sought such a school back home and couldn't find one, 
she founded her own.
  Armed only with her tenacity and infectious enthusiasm, she recruited 
a board of directors, raised funds, rented space, hired personnel and 
opened the doors at Giant Steps, Inc. Illinois, an academic and 
therapeutic day school for children with autism spectrum disorders in 
Burr Ridge, Illinois.
  As we celebrate the tenth anniversary of Giant Steps of Illinois, it 
is only appropriate that we recognize Debra Nauman. We celebrate her 
because, despite the challenges she faces as a single mom running her 
own business, she did not compromise when it came to her autistic son 
and his needs. Debra recognized long ago that every child deserves an 
education that will help him or her progress in life. She continues to 
work tirelessly to improve Giant Steps of Illinois and expand its 
programs. In so doing, she has made a world of difference in the lives 
of so many autistic children and their families in Illinois.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude 
to Debra Nauman and congratulate her on Giant Steps of Illinois' tenth 
anniversary.

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