[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24497]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING PAULETTE WALZ, LEESBURG, FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 7, 2009

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida, Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
honor Paulette Walz of Lake County, Florida. This past week, she was 
awarded the Social Security Administration's highest honorary award; 
the Commissioner's Citation. I cannot think of a more deserving 
recipient.
  Born in a small town in middle Tennessee, she first began her work 
with Social Security recipients while working as a Claims Development 
clerk in the Cookeville, TN Social Security Office. From there she was 
promoted to the Service Representative position in Leesburg, FL and 
thus made her move to the 5th district, where she continues to work as 
the Public Affairs Specialist for Lake and Sumter Counties.
  For the past 24 years, Paulette has done an exceptional job of both 
helping Social Security recipients with their every concern and in 
keeping SSA issues front and center. Her efforts span much farther than 
her office however; she utilizes print, radio and TV to educate 
recipients about the Social Security options available to them. 
Paulette hosts two weekly radio shows in The Villages, as well as 
records weekly Public Service Announcements. She also records a 30 
minute television program three times a month where she and her guests 
discuss programs the Agency administers. Additionally, she utilizes her 
weekly column in The Villages Daily Sun to respond to congressional 
inquiries regarding Social Security.
  When she is not covering the issue in the media, Paulette teaches a 
monthly class on SSA benefits at The Villages Life Long Learning 
College. Additionally, she conducts pre-release seminars at area 
Correctional Institutions, including the Coleman Federal Correctional 
Complex, the largest federal prison in the United States. She was also 
instrumental in implementing the North Florida Area's eServices 
Outreach Pilot Program; this initiative offers individuals who are 
close to retirement assistance in making an informed decision as to 
when to retire.
  I have only scratched the service on all she has accomplished. From 
working first hand with Paulette on many Social Security issues, I can 
tell you that her expertise and dedication are invaluable.
  I congratulate her on this prestigious honor and wish her only the 
very best in the years to come.

                          ____________________