[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 15, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E797]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO JIMMIE LOU FISHER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARION BERRY

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2001

  Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
American, and I am proud to recognize Jimmie Lou Fisher in the Congress 
for her invaluable contributions and service to our state and nation.
  I have known Jimmie Lou for years, and I can testify from experience 
to her public service and the example she has set for others.
  Jimmie Lou has served longer than any other state treasurer in 
Arkansas history. As one of the first female office holders in our 
state, she has been a positive role-model and trailblazer for young 
women. Most importantly, she executes her responsibilities effectively, 
and combines her obvious competence with a passion for politics. This 
explains why the citizens of Arkansas have elected her so many times, 
and why she has inspired so many others to become involved in our 
political system.
  Clearly Jimmie Lou has mastered her job, and has shown creativity and 
ingenuity in the process. In 1990 she was named the president of the 
National Association of State Treasurers. Recently she was the only 
state treasurer in the nation to employ a state-of-the-art investment 
and general ledger system, which has cut paperwork and processing in 
half, and dramatically reduced maintenance costs.
  Her many awards and nominations indicate the degree to which she has 
touched the lives of people in communities large and small. President 
Bill Clinton was lucky to have her as a district coordinator when he 
first ran for governor; the Democratic party was lucky to have her in 
all of the capacities she accepted in its behalf; the citizens of 
Arkansas were lucky to have her through almost eighteen years of public 
service; and the women in our state have been lucky to have her as a 
role model and inspiration.
  Jimmie Lou decided to retire from politics this year, which came as a 
surprise to many people in our state. We all wish she could have served 
forever. On behalf of the citizens of the state of Arkansas and this 
nation, with great love and respect, I thank her for everything she has 
done to improve the lives of others. I am very proud to call her my 
friend.

                          ____________________