[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 154 (Thursday, November 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2265-E2266]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO JAN DUCKWORTH--A GREAT AMERICAN AND FRIEND TO MANY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 4, 1999

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Senators Ben Nighthorse 
Campbell and Wayne Allard, and Representatives Joel Hefley, Bob 
Schaffer, Diane DeGette, Mark Udall, and Thomas Tancredo, I would like 
to honor the life of a dear friend, loyal civic servant and one of 
Colorado's leading ladies, Jan Duckworth. Tragically, the world lost 
Jan earlier this week when her plane, bound for Cairo, Egypt, crashed 
just off the coast of Massachusetts.
  But even as we mourn her tragic and untimely passing, everyone who 
has had the privilege of knowing Jan can take comfort in the memory of 
her remarkable life.
  Since 1978, Jan worked diligently and with great distinction in the 
Colorado House of Representatives. In the beginning, she was 
responsible for the distribution of bills and their related documents 
to members and their staff in the Capitol. It was not long thereafter 
that Jan's good work was recognized by her superiors who, in turn, 
promoted her through the ranks of the House administrative staff. At 
the time of her death, Jan was serving as the House's Chief Assignable 
Clerk. In addition to attending to the important business of the 
Colorado House, Jan also took tremendous pride in training new staff on 
the legislative process and new member training and orientation.
  Of the many accolades bestowed upon Jan during her time in the 
Colorado House of Representatives, none could ever fully capture the 
breadth of her service to this esteemed body. For Jan's service 
extended far beyond the dictates of any job description: she worked the 
chamber, telling a joke to those weary of debate; disarming the 
embattled with her quick wit; adding an element of warmth and 
hospitality to a place that, at times, could be cool with 
confrontation. These are the memories of Jan that colleagues, friends, 
and family will cling to during this difficult time and throughout the 
rest of our lives.
   Although her professional accomplishments will long be remembered 
and admired, those who knew Jan well will remember her, above

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all else, as a friend. It is clear that the multitude of those who have 
come to know and love Jan will be worse off in her absence. However, 
Mr. Speaker, I am confident that, in spite of this profound loss, Jan's 
co-workers, family and friends can take solace in the knowledge that 
each is a better person for having known her.
  But even as we mourn her passing, those who knew and loved Jan should 
find peace in the rich legacy that she has left behind in her son, 
William Duckworth, her daughter, Mary Lynn Mimouna, and her 
granddaughter Wardalynn Mimouna. I know that these and other members of 
her family--including her sisters Mary Zow and Meredith Larson--will 
long carry the torch of honor, compassion, integrity and goodwill that 
defined Jan Duckworth's time on this earth.

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