[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 8984-8985]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING KARIN BROWN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 26, 2009

  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
honor a very special lady from the State of Florida, Karin Brown. She 
has dedicated her life to being an exceptional educator, community 
activist and fighter for Florida's children.
  Karin currently serves as the President of the Florida Parent Teacher 
Association, an organization to which she has dedicated many years of 
service at both the local and state level. A wife to Bill Brown for 
nearly 40 years, mother of five and grandmother of three, she has made 
it her life mission to create a healthy relationship between students, 
parents and teachers and ensuring a stable environment in the classroom 
and at home for children. Her civic involvement includes serving on 
various community advisory boards, governing boards, task forces and as 
a liaison to organizations all focusing on child development, education 
and well being.
  During my years in the Florida State Senate, I worked closely with 
Karin when she was Vice President of Protect America's Children in 
passing the Jennifer Act. This legislation, which I sponsored and 
became law in 1997, makes any credible threat or attempted assault of a 
minor 16 years of age and under a third degree felony.
  In 1982 Karin and her husband found out that they were expecting 
their fifth child. The doctors also handed Karin a life-threatening 
diagnosis of Arterial Vinous Malformation on

[[Page 8985]]

the left side of her brain. Karin and her son survived and one year 
after giving birth, she successfully overcame more than nine hours of 
brain surgery. She does not see her handicap as an ailment; on the 
contrary, it motivates her to continue serving the community and 
working for children.
  As we celebrate Women's History Month, I ask you to join me in 
congratulating Karin Brown, a woman who lives her life with courage, a 
will to live, and a genuine passion to serve others.

                          ____________________