[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 3] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 3641-3642] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING JACQUELINE KONOPKA ______ HON. LYNN A. WESTMORELAND of georgia in the house of representatives Monday, March 10, 2008 Mr. WESTMORELAND. Madam Speaker, volunteers who work on behalf of public safety officers thicken and strengthen the Thin Blue Line. Tens of thousands of police officers daily risk the ultimate sacrifice in order to serve a greater good. These public servants have a friend behind the scenes working on their behalf in the Law Enforcement Assistance Connection Inc. Today, I call the House's attention to Jacqueline Konopka, a 25-year- old constituent from Newnan in Georgia's Third Congressional District. Jackie has gone above and beyond to aid the Law Enforcement Assistance Connection. A flight attendant for AirTran Airways, Jackie became involved with LEAC after meeting the organization's founder and leader on one of her flights. Terry Hunt's description of his work on behalf of law enforcement on that fateful flight won over a new and tireless volunteer. But Konopka says she's an easy sell when it comes to aiding public safety officials. ``As a flight attendant,'' she says, ``public safety is my No. 1 priority.'' Today, Hunt sees Konopka's work as integral to his organization's mission: ``Jacqueline Konopka has shown me the true meaning of life and inspired me to achieve and overcome personal and professional obstacles. A loyal friend and adviser, Jackie is someone I admire for her perseverance, leadership skills, drive and dedication in all she has done and continues to do. She is extremely special to me-- [[Page 3642]] in fact, it's not a stretch to say that had it not been for her willingness and selflessness to advance LEAC's goals, this organization would not function.'' LEAC takes part in various activities to promote the welfare of law enforcement authorities, including the Annual Benefit for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Gala in Washington, the Annual Charitable Golf Classic to support the Law Enforcement Assistance Connection; and A Matter of Honor Annual Golf Event and Gala for the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington. Konopka helps plan and organize these events, but she describes her efforts on behalf of the LEAC as mainly ``serving as a support for Terry.'' Nevertheless, she's breaking new ground on her own by spearheading a ``night out'' for victims of violent crime. Konopka says she wants the event, planned for 2009 in Washington, to call attention to the fact that 1 out of 3 in this country are sexually assaulted at some point in their lives. Madam Speaker, I hope the House will join me in thanking and congratulating Jacqueline Konopka and the Law Enforcement Assistance Connection Inc. for all that they give and all that they do to support the public servants who do so much for all Americans. ____________________