[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7257]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING GAIL PARKER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PETE OLSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 2011

  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of 
Gail Parker, the President and C.E.O. of the Central Fort Bend Chamber 
Alliance in Fort Bend County, TX. Mrs. Parker is retiring after nearly 
8 years at the helm of the Chamber.
  Gail has certainly left her mark on the Chamber. Under her 
leadership, Gail led the charge to double the Chamber's membership from 
roughly 400 members in late 2003 to just over 800 members currently, 
representing businesses from all sectors and industries across Fort 
Bend County. She also helped to create the Hispanic Business and Young 
Professionals Divisions, which have been critical to bringing new 
members of the Fort Bend business community to the Chamber.
  Gail is a consummate professional who cares deeply about the 
community she serves. The Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance has been 
well served by her leadership and commitment to excellence. Throughout 
her tenure as CEO, Gail demonstrated the dedication and leadership 
necessary to advance the Chamber's mission and enlarge the scope of the 
organization.
  I'm honored to call her a friend and I wish Gail and her husband 
Randy all my best. She is in my prayers as she leaves the Chamber to 
fight her next battle and, as she says, become a cancer ``survivor.'' 
On behalf of Fort Bend County, I thank you for your hard work and 
service to the Fort Bend business community.

                          ____________________