[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 115 (Thursday, September 6, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1604-E1605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO ROSE ANN VUICH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CALVIN M. DOOLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 6, 2001

  Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
former California state senator Rose Ann Vuich, a mentor and friend of 
mine who passed away in Dinuba, California on August 30, 2001.
  Rose Ann's parents immigrated from Yugoslavia to California's Central 
Valley, where the family ranched near the community of Cutler. After 
Rose Ann's father Obren passed away in 1940, her mother Stana and the 
family worked hard to keep the ranch prosperous. Their prosperity led 
them to eventually acquire three other ranches and allowed Rose Ann to 
open her own accounting firm in Dinuba.
  Rose Ann was close to her family and deeply committed to her 
community. She served on the boards of the Tulare County Fair and Alta 
District Hospital and was active in political organizations.
  Rose Ann was truly a barrier breaker. She paved the way for other 
women in public service by being elected as California's first female 
state senator in 1976. Before that, she was the first female president 
of the Dinuba Chamber of Commerce. She forced changes in the Senate, 
most notably when she rang a bell on her desk whenever male colleagues 
referred to the ``gentlemen of the Senate.''
  During her sixteen years in the state senate, Rose Ann was a model 
public servant. She

[[Page E1605]]

listened carefully to her constituents, represented them tirelessly, 
and set an example of integrity and character. She encouraged people to 
expect more of their elected officials, and her shadow over the Central 
Valley will be long.
  She set a strong standard of ethical behavior that led her to raise 
tough questions about legislation before the Senate. She rose to become 
chairman of the Senate Banking and Commerce Committee, a position that 
allowed her to advocate on behalf of Valley agriculture. She also 
tirelessly shepherded construction of Highway 41 in Fresno, which she 
considered her proudest accomplishment.
  On a personal level, I had the pleasure of serving as Rose Ann's 
Administrative Assistant immediately prior to my coming to Congress in 
1990. I learned from Rose Ann the virtue and dedication of public 
service, and the importance of standing up for what is right.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute 
to Rose Ann Vuich and celebrating her long and distinguished legacy of 
service to California's Central Valley.

                          ____________________