[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S12569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING JEAN FORD FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GREAT STATE OF 
                                 NEVADA

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a Nevadan 
whose dedication, foresight and work on behalf of women and minorities 
has profoundly changed the face of the Silver State. Jean Ford can be 
called a role model and an inspiration for generations to come, not 
only in Nevada but across our great Nation. Time and again she has 
given of herself to better the lives of those around her and she has 
created a legacy that will long endure in the history of Nevada.
  Jean Ford has been a State legislator, an educator, a successful 
businesswoman and I am proud to say a true friend to me and my family. 
Over the years we worked together on a great many projects, and I have 
come to deeply admire Jean's compassion for all people, and her 
devotion to protecting and preserving Nevada's natural beauty.
  I first met Jean Ford more than 25 years ago when she was elected to 
Nevada's State Assembly. Jean quickly rose to become a driving force 
for women's equality in Nevada, introducing the equal rights amendment 
in our State and working to end sex discrimination and break down long 
standing gender barriers. Through the years, her work in the 
legislature also carried over to other minority groups who found in 
Jean a voice, and a visionary willing to lead them on what was often a 
long, hard struggle for equal treatment under the law. Senior citizens, 
the disabled, single mothers, they were all important to Jean, and in 
turn, she helped make them important to each of us.
  It was through working with Jean that I came to realize the 
importance of many of the issues that I have taken on in my own 
legislative career. Women's health, child care, the environment, equal 
rights, protecting our seniors and the list goes on. I also owe her a 
great deal of thanks for bringing to my attention the need for 
involvement by women at every level of the political spectrum. From the 
State legislature where Jean and I both cut our political teeth, to 
this very body I stand before today. Diversity of opinion is the 
lifeblood that feeds democracy and I am grateful that people like Jean 
Ford helped break down the walls that once kept all but a privileged 
few out of the political realm.
  For her work in opening these doors, Jean has been honored dozens of 
times by groups throughout Nevada, including being named `` Outstanding 
Woman of the year'' by the Nevada Women's Political Caucus, and ``Civil 
Libertarian of the year'' by the ACLU. Jean's legacy also encompasses 
several political organizations which she helped co-found including the 
National Women's Legislator's Network, and the Nevada Elected Women's 
Network.
  More recently, Jean has dedicated herself to helping future Nevadans 
through her work in the classroom. Since 1991, Jean has been an 
instructor at the University of Nevada--Reno, where she served as 
acting director of the Women's Studies Program. She has also been an 
instructor of History and Political Science, and helped developed the 
Nevada Women's archives through the University library system. It is 
only fitting that Jean is also the current State coordinator for the 
Nevada Women's History Project.
  But In spite of all that she has endeavored to create, the 
magnificent achievements of Jean Ford are truly overshadowed by the 
warmth and graciousness which she has exhibited through the many years 
that I have known her. I am sure if you could count them, her friends 
would number in the thousands, and her admirers would number even more. 
That is the true testament to a life long list of accomplishments.
  I ask all my colleagues to join with me today to recognize a true 
pioneer who changed her world for the better, and whose efforts have 
touched not only those who call Nevada home, but the hearts and minds 
of all who have had the pleasure and the honor to know my friend Jean 
Ford.

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