[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 51 (Monday, March 20, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S4205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       TRIBUTE TO CAROLYN SQUIRES

 Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, during the welfare reform debate 
that we are bound to have in the months ahead of us, I would like the 
Senate to keep in mind the story of Carolyn Squires, representative of 
the State of Montana's House District 68. Her example should be a 
reminder to all of us that public assistance programs can work.
  Although she is a successful member of the Montana House of 
Representatives, I would like to tell you about a time when Carolyn was 
not so lucky. She was once divorced, a single mother, and on welfare. 
But like a majority of welfare mothers, she never gave up a little over 
a year later she found a career.
  For the past 27 years, Carolyn has worked at Missoula's community 
medical center as a licensed practical nurse. She is active in the 
Missoula labor movement. Still a member of the licensed practical 
nurses union, Carolyn is president of the Central Labor Council in 
Missoula.
  Although she was initially appointed to the Montana State House, 
Carolyn has worked hard for her constituents. And they have rewarded 
her with their votes. It is because she has a way with people. I 
remember hearing of a time during her recent campaign when she decided 
to go door-to-door. After about three or four blocks, several people 
started following her. They liked what she had to say. And although 
Carolyn did not get far on her walk, she was always connected with her 
constituents.
  Carolyn has exemplified this again and again. One of her 
constituents, a single mom receiving AFDC, called for Carolyn's help. 
The mother did not receive her check for 2 straight weeks. As many of 
you know, this can be a crisis. But Carolyn did not waste any time. She 
called the Montana Social Rehabilitation Service directly and demanded 
to talk to the cabinet director.
  ``The Director is in a meeting,'' she was told.
  Then Carolyn got really mad. And, while Carolyn has a heart of gold, 
anybody who knows her also knows it is best to stay on her good side. 
Clearly, the folks in the department did not know Carolyn Squires very 
well. Yet they finally pulled the director out of the meeting. Carolyn 
demanded that the check arrive tomorrow morning, and that she herself 
would be there to receive it. Needless to say, the check arrived bright 
and early the next day.
  Carolyn Squires has a lot to be proud of. She knows that politics is 
about people, and she makes a difference. She is a shining example, one 
of many, whose life was improved because of our welfare system. Her 
husband Harold, her sons Paul and Keith, her grandchildren and those 
Montanans in house district 68 are lucky to have someone so dedicated 
taking care of them. They should all be proud of her legacy of service 
to the city of Missoula and the State of Montana. I am proud to honor 
her today before the Senate.


                          ____________________