[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17904]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      PAYING TRIBUTE TO DEMA GUINN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2008

  Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to rise today 
to honor the former First Lady of Nevada, Dema Guinn, by entering her 
name in the Congressional Record, the official record of the 
proceedings and debates of the United States Congress since 1873. 
Today, I pay tribute to Dema Guinn for her outstanding service to the 
State of Nevada.
  Mrs. Guinn has served the Nevada community in countless ways 
including her fundraising campaigns for both the Nevada State Museum 
and the Keck Mining Museum. Her efforts in bringing Nevada's second 
statue, Sarah Winnemucca, to Statuary Hall of the Capitol in 
Washington, D.C. and her renovation of the Governor's Mansion to better 
reflect Nevada's history were both great successes. While First Lady 
Dema Guinn has been involved in many projects, her largest contribution 
has been her continued support of Nevada's health care system. Having 
lost a cousin to breast cancer in 1995, Mrs. Guinn recognized the 
hardships and suffering felt by many Nevadans in similar situations. 
The real tragedy is that Mrs. Guinn's cousin did not have health 
insurance and never had the chance to have a mammogram performed, which 
could have staved off this vicious disease. From this devastation, 
First Lady Dema Guinn was able to found the Mammovan, a traveling 
health care van that provides free mammograms to uninsured women.
  The Mammovan began touring Nevada in January of 2000. During Mrs. 
Guinn's tenure as First Lady, the Mammovan assisted more than 17,000 
women. In 2007, after many successful trips throughout the state 
visiting rural areas of Nevada, it became necessary to acquire a new 
van to continue this vital service to our State.
  A community partnership was formed with Harrah's Foundation and the 
Nevada Health Center to help finance a new Mammovan. This improved van 
will have the ability to help even more women. Mrs. Guinn's many 
accomplishments during her term have extended far beyond her duties as 
First Lady. Today, her tireless generosity continues as she works to 
assist many citizens in our great State. Dema Guinn's endeavors leave 
behind the legacy of a compassionate woman and a dedicated Nevadan.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Dema Guinn. Her dedication to our 
community, and specifically the health care system, has impacted 
countless Nevadans. I applaud her successes and thank her for her 
dedication to Nevada.

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