[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 119 (Thursday, September 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF VERLYAN RUTH BYRD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 2002

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Verlyan 
Ruth Byrd.
  Ruth passed from this life on July 28th. Her passing left a gap in 
the lives of those who knew her, but also in the lives of many others 
who did not.
  She was a compassionate and tireless advocate on behalf of others who 
were, like her, impacted by the Government Pension Offset provision. 
Ruth worked to repeal the Offset, knowing how such a repeal would help 
others whose Social Security benefits were reduced as a result of the 
Offset.
  Ruth had many friends who joined her in her efforts to repeal the 
Offset and will carry on in her memory. One of those friends, Cory 
Grah, continues to make an impact on this issue.
  It's for people like Ruth and Cory, that I once again call on my 
fellow members of Congress to join me in our efforts to repeal the 
Government Pension Offset once and for all.
  There are more Ruths and Corys out there, and they deserve better.

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