[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 18170-18171]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING JACQUELINE BASNEY AND ANGELIQUE'S BRIDAL IN BLAINE, MINNESOTA 
                FOR HOSTING A ``MILITARY EXTRAVAGANZA''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHELE BACHMANN

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 16, 2009

  Mrs. BACHMANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jacqueline Basney 
and the employees of Angelique's Bridal Salon in Blaine, Minnesota for 
their thoughtful commitment to the military families of Minnesota. For 
the second year, Angelique's has hosted a ``Military Extravaganza.'' 
This past weekend, they gave away 50 wedding gowns to women who are 
either serving or engaged to someone serving in the military at no cost 
to the couple. As owner of Angelique's, Jackie gives

[[Page 18171]]

away the freshly cleaned and repaired sample gowns of discontinued 
styles. ``These dresses are like new and just beautiful,'' she says.
  Inspired after hearing of a similar event at another shop, Jackie 
went a step further by involving local vendors from the Twin Cities 
area to donate limo rides, photography sessions, tuxedo rentals--
everything needed for the perfect wedding. Even more, the event is a 
way of connecting families who share the same uncommon situation. One 
set of four women lined up at eleven o'clock the night before and by 
the time they had picked their dresses the next morning, they were good 
friends, taking photos and exchanging phone numbers and promising to 
stay in touch. You simply can't put a price tag on that kind of 
support--particularly for women so in need of a little extra friendship 
for the sacrifices they make for our nation.
  To take part in the event, couples submit letters and Jackie reads 
each one. Learning how they met and their plans for their life together 
lead her to tears at just the idea that she'll be a part of their 
wedding days. This year was especially moving when one lucky bride-to-
be called her fiance in Iraq and he personally thanked Jackie for her 
special gift. But Jackie seeks no thanks, saying it's only their way of 
paying it forward as ``they pay us back double.''
  While these service men and women are separated by time and distance, 
Angelique's is committed to making their big day the best it can be. 
Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and thank everyone at Angelique's 
Bridal Salon in Blaine, Minnesota and especially Jacqueline Basney for 
helping the men and women in our military in this unique way. While 
many couples enjoy the luxury of planning and preparing together, this 
event brings families and strangers together in a way many never 
expected, but are eternally grateful to have experienced.

                          ____________________