Marc A. Veasey

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 152 wordsI rise today to honor my good friend Mary Ann Kellam, who retired as the president and CEO of the Irving Hispanic chamber.¹ Under her leadership, I will tell you that the chamber has grown. It has become one of the most premier Hispanic chambers in all of Texas. The chamber has expanded their business and leadership seminars and also certification for minority-owned businesses. They have earned an award 3 years in a row for medium-sized Chamber of the Year from the TAMACC.² Mary Ann’s commitment to service extends far beyond her work at the chamber. She is a former financial services professional, and she has held numerous leaderships in the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas, including State chair and Dallas chapter chair.³ She also helped establish a chapter of MANA and has mentored young women through programs, including Latinas in Progress and at the Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School.⁴ Thanks · 54 wordsI congratulate Mary Ann on everything that she has done in the nonprofit sector and with the chamber and wish her congratulations and good luck on her retirement. I know that she is going to be happy being able to hang out with her granddaughter, who is a senior at the University of Texas.⁵Thanks Greeting · 22 wordsI congratulate Mary Ann. We will miss her and all the great work she has done at the chamber. ``Best Wishes’’; ``Felicidades.’’Greeting