[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E213-E214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO RETIRING CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLYWOMAN JACKIE SPEIER

                                 ______


                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 27, 1996

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
distinguished assemblywoman of the 19th assembly district of 
California, Ms. Jackie Speier. Many of the same communities in San 
Mateo County that are included in her State assembly district are also 
within the boundaries of the 12th Congressional District, which I have 
the privilege and honor to represent.
  This coming weekend, the San Mateo County Democratic Party will 
salute Jackie Speier at a special appreciation dinner held to recognize 
the service she has rendered to the people of California. After a 
successful career in the California assembly, Jackie Speier will retire 
at the end of this legislative session. She will have completed her 
fifth term in the assembly and is not permitted to run again because of 
term limitations.
  Jackie Speier was born in San Francisco--the daughter of a German 
immigrant and an 

[[Page E214]]
American mother. She attended local schools in south San Francisco and 
graduated from Mercy High School in Burlington. She received a B.A. 
from the University of California at Davis and received a law degree 
from the University of California's Hastings College of the Law in 
1976.
  Following the completion of her education, Jackie served on the staff 
of our late colleague and my predecessor, Congressman Leo J. Ryan. In 
November 1978, Jackie accompanied Congressman Ryan to Jonestown, 
Guyana, to investigate the cult community led by the Rev. Jim Jones. As 
my colleagues know, Congressman Ryan was killed during that visit to 
Jonestown, and Jackie Speier was seriously injured at the same time. 
That was followed by the tragic suicide-murder of over 900 cult 
members.
  After returning to California, Ms. Speier was elected to the San 
Mateo County board of supervisors in November 1980, where she 
effectively served the people of San Mateo County for 5 years. During 
that time she served 1 year as chair of the board. In November 1986, 
she was elected a member of the California State Assembly. During the 
decade that she represented the 19th assembly district, Jackie led the 
assembly's Committee on Consumer Protection, Governmental Efficiency 
and Economic Development. She was a constructive and articulate 
spokesperson and advocate for consumer interests and government 
efficiency for the people of San Mateo County.
  Jackie is the mother of two delightful children--Jackson Kent Sierra 
and Stephanie Katelin Elizabeth Sierra. Her husband, Dr. Steven Sierra, 
was killed in a tragic automobile accident in early 1994, a few months 
before the birth of their last child.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
Jackie Speier as she completes 10 years of distinguished service in the 
California State Assembly. The people of San Mateo County and the 
people of California have been well served by her leadership and 
advocacy in the State assembly.

                          ____________________