[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 147 (Tuesday, November 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: November 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     IN HONOR OF VIRGINIA FREDERICK

                                 ______


                        HON. JOHN EDWARD PORTER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 1994

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to 
offer a personal salute to one of Illinois' finest elected officials 
who is retiring after a distinguished career of public service: State 
Representative Virginia Frederick.
  Virginia Frederick--Ginny to everyone who knows her--has been one of 
our State's most respected leaders and has made a real difference for 
the people of her district and across Illinois. She started out in 
Government in the 1970's as the very first woman elected to the Lake 
Forest City Council, and subsequently Ginny was elected to the general 
assembly, where she served with such skill that she was reelected for 
eight consecutive terms.
  As a member of the Illinois Legislature, Ginny earned the respect of 
her colleagues and a reputation as a serious and thoughtful leader, 
especially for women's and children's issues. She was the driving force 
behind important legislation in support of education, aiding shelters 
for battered women, and badly needed domestic violence programs.
  As just one example of Ginny's tenacity and commitment to the causes 
she believed in, an article in the Chicago Tribune noted that in her 
last term, she again sponsored a bill passed by the general assembly 
that grants tax exemptions for businesses that provide day care for 
employees' children--a bill that she had sponsored annually for 15 
years.
  From the perspective of my office, whenever there was a matter of 
concern to our shared constituencies that required a combined State and 
Federal effort, I could always count on Ginny Frederick. Whether it was 
flood control, support for local schools serving children from nearby 
military bases, or any other issue, Ginny was both responsive and 
effective.
  But, Mr. Speaker, with Ginny's retirement we are losing not just a 
wonderful legislator, but someone whose personal warmth and kindness 
shone a special light on Illinois government. She brought a keen mind 
to the legislative process, but remembered that even the most 
sophisticated logical analysis doesn't beat good old common sense. She 
was and is a proud member of the Republican party, but never allowed 
partisanship to destroy the cooperation needed to govern. A class act, 
Mr. Speaker--that's what Ginny Frederick has been throughout her work 
in public office.
  Courage, decency, hard work, and compassion were the hallmarks of 
Ginny Frederick's career in public service, and she has the gratitude 
of countless people throughout our area and our State whom she has 
served so ably. We will miss her leadership in Springfield, but we will 
never forget all the wonderful things she accomplished to make Illinois 
a better place.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to offer this tribute to Ginny in the 
permanent record of the U.S. Congress and to wish her and her husband, 
Ken, the very best in all the years to come.

                          ____________________