[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 20, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A TRIBUTE TO GOVERNOR JOAN FINNEY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to convey my 
thoughts and prayers for the former governor of our State, Governor 
Joan Finney, and her family. Last month, Governor Finney was diagnosed 
with liver cancer. I wish her strength and courage as she fights this 
devastating disease.
  Governor Finney has had a long and distinguished career in service to 
the public. She was a trailblazer for women in elective office, and her 
example has served as inspiration and a role model for others in our 
State and around the country.
  Joan Finney served our State for 16 years as Kansas Treasurer. She 
started her career as a Republican and switched to become a Democrat.
  In 1990, she became the first women ever elected governor of our 
State. Governor Finney is truly a woman of the people.
  Throughout her years of public service, she was able to connect to 
everyday Kansans in a way all of us who hold elective office can 
respect and admire.
  I was privileged to serve in the Kansas Senate during Governor 
Finney's term as governor. During that time, she always had the well-
being of the people of our State as her priority.
  While we sometimes disagreed, I always knew where the Governor stood 
on each and every issue. She was honest and straightforward. No public 
opinion polls, no focus groups, just Joan Finney doing what she thought 
was best for the people she loved, the people of Kansas.
  Governor Finney was always respectful, and her heart was always in 
the right place. She believed passionately in her positions and worked 
hard for the hard-working people of Kansas.
  Family is very important to Governor Finney. Members of her family 
played key roles in her campaigns and in her administration.
  I know that her family is with her now as she faces this great 
challenge. May the strength and goodwill that she displayed in her 
years as public service now help her defeat this terrible disease.
  My thoughts and prayers go out to Governor Finney, to her husband 
Spencer and to her children, Sally Finney, Richard Finney and Mary 
Holliday.
  Kansans care greatly for you, Mrs. Finney, and we pray God will bless 
you and give you courage and strength.

                          ____________________