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[Page H4892]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING DON CORAM
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Colorado (Mr. Tipton) for 5 minutes.
Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Don Coram of Montrose,
Colorado.
Don was born in Montrose and raised in a farming and ranching family.
He has been married to his wife, Dianna, for 53 years. Together, they
have a son, Dee.
Don's agricultural background provided him with a thorough
understanding of the unique needs of the communities on the Western
Slope that led him to be a successful businessman and a well-respected
elected official.
Don began his career in public service first as a county
commissioner, later serving in the Colorado State House and, most
recently, as a Colorado State senator.
At the Colorado Capitol, he has extensive influence in crafting
legislation to preserve and to protect water rights, bringing resources
to local agencies to more effectively prevent and combat wildfires and
revitalize investment into Main Streets across the State. Don
consistently works with his colleagues across the aisle on commonsense
policies, which has earned him high remarks from legislators from all
four corners of the State.
{time} 0945
Don's leadership, experience, and knowledge of rural interests and
needs have helped him to advance legislation that have no doubt
improved the lives of thousands of families and businesses and
communities throughout western Colorado.
While he would never admit it, Don is a role model for others. For
decades, he has selflessly supported local causes by serving on the
school board, the Delta-Montrose Vocational Center, volunteering for
nonprofits, and actively participating with several other local
organizations.
Don's efforts to serve his community reach all the way to Washington.
He has been a trusted adviser to me on numerous pieces of legislation
and always puts thoughtful consideration in any time I ask for his
input. Don has been a great leader for the Third District during my
tenure in Congress, and he is personally a good and loyal friend.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to give my utmost praise to Don for his
compassionate service to our great State and the Nation over the years,
and I wish him and his wife, Dianna, the best as they continue their
work to be able to improve the quality of life in communities
throughout the West Slope.
Honoring Dianna Coram
Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dianna Coram of
Montrose, Colorado, for her lifelong service to her community and to
the State of Colorado.
Born during the middle of a blizzard on her grandfather's farm,
Dianna is a third-generation Coloradan who truly embodies the unique
spirit of western Colorado.
Dianna has been a loving wife for over 53 years to her husband, Don,
with whom they have one son, Dee. Her husband, Don, noted to me that,
of those 53 years, 35 of those years have been happy.
Dianna spent most of her adult life building a reputation as a
respected figure in Delta and Montrose, where she spends much of her
time strengthening and improving her community through her dedicated
volunteer work with nonprofits, the local school, county fairs, and
organizations such as the Dolphin House, the Boys & Girls Club,
Downtown Improvement Group, the San Juan Cancer Center, and currently
serves as the Third Congressional District representative on the
Colorado State Fair Board.
Dianna's reputation reaches far beyond the West Slope. If you visit
the Colorado State Capitol and mention the name Dianna Coram,
legislators and staff from both sides of the aisle will give a smile
and be quick to share a story of her.
Dianna is always front and center in the political arena within the
Third District, where she has been active since the young age of 14. It
was then she could very well have been the only person of her age to be
found walking the streets of Montrose with a ``Barry Goldwater for
President'' sign.
A few years back, when the Montrose Chapter of Republican Women's
future was at stake, Dianna stepped forward as soon as their president
resigned. Since then, her work has paid dividends, where, just this
past year, it was the only chapter in Colorado to receive the Gold
Achievement Award.
Mr. Speaker, it is truly an honor to recognize Dianna for her hard
work for her community. Like so many others who have had the privilege
to be able to know her, I will always be grateful for her friendship to
my wife, Jean, and me.
Her service to the State of Colorado and the Third Congressional
District is truly appreciated by so many who have gotten to know her
over the years. I stand with the residents of Montrose in
congratulating Dianna for her achievements, and I look forward to her
continued success as a community leader.
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