Recognizing Betty Reid Soskin

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my friend, Betty Reid Soskin, as she finally enters retirement from the National Park Service at age 100. Betty has had too many jobs and too many accomplishments and too many compliments for just 1 minute, so I will share a few of the highlights of this remarkable woman's life.

During World War II, Betty was a file clerk for the Boilermakers Union A-36 in Richmond, California, an all-Black union auxiliary.

In 2004, she became a park ranger with the National Park Service assigned to the Rosie the Riveter Park in Richmond, California. In this role, Betty shared her story as a young Black woman working during the war and long held the honorable distinction of being the Nation's oldest National Park Ranger.

Americans came from all over the country to listen to Betty's voice. Betty has been recognized over the years for her advocacy and her commitment to social justice, including by President Obama as Glamour magazine's Woman of the Year, and recently, had a local middle school named after her.

Betty is an important part of our community and our country, and I am proud to call her a friend and a constituent. Her leadership and passionate spirit are an inspiration to all of us, all who have been fortunate enough to know her and for all Americans who know of her.

Congratulations, Betty, and thank you for a wonderful life of service to our community and to our country.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source