Congressman Lee Terry has nominated Cheryl Murphy as a 2008 Angel in Adoption^TM for her outstanding advocacy of adoption. 

Cheryl is being honored for her dedicated work and service to Adoption Links Worldwide.  Cheryl started Adoption Links Worldwide with Diana Baumgartner in 1993.  Cheryl took the executive director position in 1999 and adopted her son in 2001 through the agencies infant adoption program.

Congressman Lee Terry (R-NE) had the pleasure of meeting with nearly 300 WW II veterans in Washington, D.C.   The veterans arrived at the nation’s capitol to visit the National World War II Memorial.  Construction of the memorial began in September 2001 and was completed in 2004.

Congressional Medal recipients.

To earn the Congressional Award, the youthful leaders must set and achieve goals in four program areas: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition/exploration, and dedicate many hours of service in their school and community.   

To earn the Congressional Award, the youthful leaders must set and achieve goals in four program areas: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition/exploration, and dedicate many hours of service in their school and community.   

The medal recipients include:

Erica McCoy Bronze & Silver Certificates

Erica is the 17 year old daughter of Senior Master Sergeant Melvin and Carla McCoy and has two sisters. Erica is a senior at BWHS where she is active in the Congressional Award Club, senior senate, National Honor Society, Student Council, basketball, track, and softball. She plans to attend Bellevue University on an academic and athletic scholarship to study biology.

Colin Sorensen Silver Medal

Colin is the 17 year old son of Tim and Julie Sorensen and has a younger sister. He is a junior at Papillion-LaVista High School where he is active in National Honor Society, Forensics, and his high school tennis team. He takes private piano lessons, participates in the Omaha Tennis Association indoor junior league, and volunteers at the Nebraska Humane Society.

Joseph Wier Bronze Medal

Joseph is the 16 year old son of Colonel Dennis and Claudia Wier. He is a sophomore at JMJ Holy Family Homeschool. Joseph enjoys playing tennis at the Offutt Field House with his friends. He is currently taking classes in ballroom dancing, tango, and the waltz. In his free time he volunteers at the Offutt AFB Library.

Laura Van Epps Bronze Medal

Laura is the 16 year old daughter of retired Major Roger and Danette VanEpps and has two brothers. She is a junior at BWHS where she is active in class senate, Forensics, National Honor Society, soccer, and the Congressional Award club. She represented Bellevue West at the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Conference and plans to volunteer at the Wheelchair Games this summer.

Tony Zilli Bronze & Silver Certificates

Tony is the 15 year old son of Harry and retired Technical Sergeant Marie Zilli and has one sister. He is a sophomore at BWHS where he is active in the Congressional Award club and the varsity soccer team. Tony is a member of the Civil Air Patrol Club and participates in club soccer.

Lisa Zilli Bronze & Silver Certificates

Lisa is the 18 year old daughter of Harry and retired Technical Sergeant Marie Zilli and has one brother. She is a senior at BWHS where she is a member of the swim team and Congressional Award club. Lisa is active in Girl Scouts and recently earned her Girl Scout Gold Award. She plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln on an academic scholarship to study environmental conservation.

Matthew Armistead Bronze Medal

Matthew is the 17 year old son of Technical Sergeant Darryl and Melissa Armistead and has one brother and sister. Matthew is a junior at BWHS where he is active in the Congressional Award Club, Diversity Club, football, track, and is an athletic trainer for the girls’ basketball team. He also is a member of the Anti-Defamation League promoting the importance of tolerance to metro area teenagers.

Wayne Banks Bronze & Silver Medals

Wayne is the 17 year old son of retired Master Sergeant Wayne and Angela Banks and has two sisters and two brothers. He is a senior at BWHS where he is active in class senate, Congressional Award club, National Honor Society, Diversity Club, and track, tennis, and basketball teams. Wayne is planning to attend Washington University on an academic scholarship to study Biochemistry and Spanish.

Matthew Bashus Bronze Medal

Matthew is the 17 year old son of Steven and Penny Bashus. Matthew is a junior at Plattsmouth High School where he is a member of the track and football teams, Leadership Cadre, and Renaissance Board. He was one of only 385 to be selected for the American Legion Boys State Camp. Matthew volunteers at the Nebraska Masonic Home working towards becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Tonni Blount Bronze Medal

Tonni is the 15 year old daughter of Anthony and Claudette Blount and has one older sister. She is a sophomore at BWHS where she is active in the Congressional Award Club, Science Olympiads, Quiz Bowl, Academic Decathlon, Sophomore Senate, and varsity soccer. Tonni is also involved in the Midlands Hospital Teen Volunteer Program.

LauRen Gaines Bronze & Silver Certificates

LauRen is the 16 year old daughter of retired Master Sergeant Keith and Schernol Gaines and has two sisters. She is a junior at BWHS where she is active in the Congressional Award club, National Honor Society, track, cross-country, and junior senate. Lauren is also involved in Midlands Hospital Teen Volunteer Program.  

Edward Hanline Bronze & Silver Certificates

Edward is the 16 year old son of Edward and Kathy Hanline and has two sisters. He is a junior at BWHS where he is active in the Congressional Award Club, National Honor Society, Bellevue West Singers, and the Quill and Scroll Society. Edward is an editor for the West Wind newspaper and has his own web design business.

Congressional Art Contest Winner Kayla Johnson of Omaha.

To hear the entire interview:

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kios/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1188913

Congressman Terry meets with constituents to talk about research for children suffering from diabetes.

The Creighton University School of Law Community Economic Development Clinic has been awarded $149,419 from USDA Rural Development to provide small, rural businesses in Nebraska and Iowa with affordable legal assistance on business law issues. Congressman Terry particpated in a check presentation.

The National Association of Manufacturers' presented Congressman Lee Terry the Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence because of his consistent voting record in support of jobs and economic growth in manufacturing.  With Congressman Terry are Brent Baglien of ConAgra Foods; Tony Raimondo of Behlen Manufacturing and chairman of the State Chamber’s Economic Development Council; Mary McAuliffe of Union Pacific Corporation; Keith McCoy of NAM; and Tom Beddow of 3M Company.

On May 4, 2007, Congressman Lee Terry attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for iSECUREtrac Corp. iSECUREtrac Corp., an electronic monitoring solutions facility, recently expanded their Omaha location.

Congressman Terry visits the children at Christ Child Creative Learning Center in Omaha.