[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 29, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING MS. ROSE MARIE BELL OF MORRIS, IL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 29, 2000

  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Ms. Rose 
Marie Bell of Morris, IL, for the nearly seventeen years of service she 
has put forth as the Grundy County Circuit Clerk.
  In 1983, Robert T. Williamson retired from his duties as Grundy 
County Circuit Clerk. Ms. Rose Marie Bell, a lifetime resident of the 
County Seat of Grundy County, was wisely appointed to the position. The 
Circuit Clerk's seat is open every four years, which means Ms. Bell was 
elected on four separate occasions before retiring in December of 1999. 
Three of the four elections were unopposed. This shows her leadership 
both professionally and in the community have been cherished by the 
good people of Grundy County.
  In 1988, Ms. Bell had the uneniviable task of computerizing and 
automating the Circuit Clerk's office. She led her office through this 
trying and difficult time. When the spirits were low in the office she 
would comfort her workers by saying, ``And this too shall pass.'' Ms. 
Bell told the programmer she wanted a system where a deputy clerk could 
type in the court proceedings from within the courtroom and they would 
automatically transfer to the Clerk's office. The programmer said it 
could not be done, but Ms. Rose Marie Bell insisted on the 
installation. That particular system was used at that time by many 
Clerks' offices throughout the state and the code to access the record 
sheet was ``Rose01''. A down state judge, upon meeting Ms. Bell, said 
he was, ``pleased to finally meet `Rose01'.''
  Not only has Ms. Bell served the public in an official capacity, she 
was also the founding force of ``Breaking Away'' which is a victims of 
domestic violence organization. The organization provides shelter, 
counseling, and assistance to women and their children who need to 
detach themselves from an abusive home life. She still is actively 
involved serving as President of the organization.
  Along with being a mother to her four sons Timothy, Daniel, Jeffrey, 
and Gregory, she was also known as ``Mother Bell'' to her staff in 
times of crisis both personally and professionally. She truly is a 
pillar of the community, holding a County office for 17 years, helping 
found ``Break Away'', being a mother of four and a friend to many.
  Mr. Speaker, I find it fitting and appropriate to recognize and 
congratulate the years of service Ms. Rose Marie Bell has given to the 
Morris community and the people of Grundy County.

                          ____________________