[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 74 (Friday, June 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO ELIZABETH RICHARDSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 6, 2002

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Elizabeth H. Richardson, a citizen of Colorado, who for the past 38 
years has been a vital member of our State's political, educational and 
social fabric.
  Elizabeth has recently retired from Colorado Open Lands, where she 
served with distinction for the past ten years, working to preserve 
Colorado's open space for future generations. Her commitment to 
Colorado's environment continues today with her service on the Colorado 
Coalition of Land Trusts. Elizabeth has also served on the Board of 
Thorne Ecological Institute and was a member of the Denver Chamber of 
Commerce's Energy Legislation Task Force. Her interest in public lands 
and open space was also enhanced by her service as a director on the 
Colorado Open Space Council. It is through these outstanding 
commitments to Colorado's environment and her devotion to the 
protection of our Western lands that Elizabeth has set a shining 
example for all who choose to serve their country and their 
communities.
  A native of Massachusetts, Elizabeth graduated from Radcliffe College 
and completed graduate studies at the University of Southern California 
and the University of Denver, as well as studying ecology at 
Metropolitan State College of Denver.
  Elizabeth came to Colorado in 1963 where she quickly became a 
political force to be dealt with. A member of The League of Women 
Voters since 1963, she has chaired their Environment Committee, served 
as the League's Metro Denver President, and lobbied on environmental 
and transportation issues at the Colorado State Legislature.
  Colorado's public servants have also benefited from Elizabeth's 
commitment to their campaigns and staffs. She has served as a House 
District captain for more than 20 years, was a county campaign 
coordinator for Democratic National Committeeman Ray Kogovsek, served 
on the transition committee for Governor-elect Richard D. Lamm, has 
been a campaign manager for Denver City Council member Doug Linkhart, 
served as the Issues Coordinator for Josie Heath for U.S. Senate, has 
been the treasurer of Colorado House of Representatives member Andrew 
Romanoff, and served on the senior policy staff of Governor Richard D. 
Lamm. Elizabeth also was twice a candidate for the Colorado House of 
Representatives, in 1976 and 1980.
  Her commitment to lifelong learning and teaching began in 1959 when 
she was an assistant biology teacher in Australia and continued as a 
drama teacher in Concord, Massachusetts in the early 1960's. She has 
since served on the Denver Public Library Friends Foundation and has 
been a steadfast member of the Simon's Rock College of Bard Board of 
Directors for more than a decade. Elizabeth's passion for learning 
continues today with her 20 years of leadership on the Board of the 
Rocky Mountain Women's Institute, guiding this outstanding regional 
organization which supports and promotes women artists, writers and 
scholars.
  A writer, a reader, a teacher, a community activist, a proud mother 
and grandmother, an adventurer and world traveler, but most 
importantly, a role model for us all. Colorado--its lands, its schools, 
its public servants and its citizens--owe Elizabeth Hall Richardson 
gratitude and appreciation for her dedicated service.
  I wish her well in her future endeavors as I am sure she will 
continue to improve the quality of life in Colorado.

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