[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 120 (Thursday, September 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1531-E1532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO GERTRUDE ``GERT'' R. TABER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 5, 1996

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I have the sad duty today to report to 
this House the death of a fellow elected official, Gertrude ``Gert'' R. 
Taber, from the fifth supervisorial district in my home county of 
Mariposa, CA. I had the privilege of serving with Gert on the Mariposa 
County Board of Supervisors, and of knowing Gert as the first lady of 
Mariposa since I was a young child.
  Gert served on the board from November 1979 until her passing last 
week. She provided the citizens of Mariposa County with 17 years of 
dedicated service during a time of great change in California, and in 
Mariposa County. Adapting to change was a starting point for Gert, when 
she broke the barriers of the board of supervisors as the first woman 
supervisor in the then 125 year history of that board.
  Gert had many accomplishments as a supervisor, mostly for modernizing 
Mariposa County's government by creating new administrative, personnel, 
data processing, community services, fire and other departments and

[[Page E1532]]

government functions. In addition, she led the charge for improved 
planning and instituting land use reform; for a comprehensive budget 
process; for addressing long term space needs of the county; and for 
ensuring that seniors and children received the best possible services. 
Gert was always an advocate for those not able to advocate for 
themselves--for making government work for the people it can best 
serve.
  Perhaps more importantly, Gert gave of herself as a wife to Bud 
Taylor for 49 years, and as a mother of six children. She was an active 
community member as a Scout leader, 4-H leader, Key leader, sponsor of 
youth sporting activities and rodeo events, and as the candy lady to a 
whole generation of Mariposans.
  Gert was an independent, active and caring voice in the community, 
and Mariposa will miss her.
  Mr. Speaker, by honoring Gert Taber, we hold an example for all 
Americans as contributing members of their communities. For this 
reason, I am honored to pay tribute to Gert Taber, truly the first lady 
of Mariposa.

                          ____________________