[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 181 (Wednesday, November 15, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    THANK YOU MRS. RUTH MACDONALD FOR YOUR YEARS OF DEDICATED PUBLIC 
                                SERVICE

                                 ______


                           HON. GLENN POSHARD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 15, 1995

  Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Mrs. Ruth Macdonald 
of McLeansboro, IL for her years of dedicated public service to the 
people of Hamilton County. In 1976 she was elected as Hamilton County 
coroner. Three years later Ruth was appointed circuit clerk, and was 
elected to that position in 1980. She subsequently was re-elected in 
1984, 1988, and 1992. Ruth retired on July 31, 1995 after serving 16 
years as the Hamilton County circuit clerk.
  A native of Kentucky, Ruth moved to McLeansboro in 1959 with her 
husband and three children. Since her arrival in southern Illinois Ruth 
has worked hard to ensure that her family and neighbors live in a 
community that strives for excellence. Through her tireless efforts as 
a mother and public servant she has helped her children excel and 
contribute to their communities. Ruth's daughter, Alice, is a circuit 
court judge in Wayne County, IL; her son, John, is an engineer in 
Cincinnati, OH; and her son, James, is a professor at Weber State 
University in Ogden, UT.
  Mr. Speaker, until the 1992 election, Hamilton County still used 
paper ballots. Many times the election results were not known until 
noon the following day, and it was Ruth's office that would remain open 
to the public around the clock on primary and general election nights, 
serving coffee and food to those interested in the election outcome.
  There is no question Ruth Macdonald has been a public servant of the 
highest standards, and she will be missed as circuit clerk. I take 
great pride in honoring her service to the citizens of Hamilton County 
and all others she served. Ruth Macdonald has set a very good example 
for all of us to follow, and I wish her the very best as she begins her 
retirement.

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