[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 26, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        TRIBUTE TO RITA BOWLING

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 26, 2003

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an invaluable public 
servant, Mrs. Rita Bowling. Mrs. Bowling recently retired from her post 
as a member of the Board of Supervisors for San Benito County, which is 
located in my Central California District. Mrs. Bowling has been a 
beacon of public service who sought to make San Benito County a better 
place by tirelessly advocating for the principles of the county 
residents whom she served.
  Mrs. Bowling was born in Rouyn, Quebec, Canada. She moved to 
Hollister, California, with her family in 1946. She has lived in San 
Benito County continuously since then and attended local schools. In 
1964, she married Mr. Linden Bowling.
  For 30 years, Mrs. Bowling began working in the insurance business, 
and eventually owned her own agency, reminding this community that the 
American dream is possible through hard work and integrity.
  Mrs. Bowling not only set an example for the residents of this 
county, but opened doors for future generations of women when she was 
the first woman to serve as the Foreperson of the San Benito County 
Grand Jury. She sprung those doors open again when she became the first 
woman elected to the San Benito County Board of Supervisors in 1987. 
Mrs. Bowling represented San Benito County's 3rd District on the Board 
from 1987 to January 2003, a 16-year record of public service. Mrs. 
Bowling served as Chairperson to the Board of Supervisors in 1991, 
1995, 1998, and again in 2002. She presided over that body with great 
skill and with an immense sense of responsibility to the people of San 
Benito County. Her decision not to seek election to a 5th term means a 
gain for her family, but a loss to the community. She leaves a legacy 
of achievement that we all can admire.
  In addition to her service on the board, Mrs. Bowling participated 
with the San Benito County of Governments (COG) where she diligently 
worked to improve San Benito County's transportation infrastructure. 
Mrs. Bowling also served on the Veterans Memorial park Commission for 
nearly 14 years during which time she was instrumental in obtaining 
funding and community support for improvements to the park, including, 
ball fields and restrooms benefiting the community.
  Widely respected for her uncommon common sense, for speaking with 
candor and clarity and for her principled stands on the issues, Mrs. 
Bowling never withdrew from an opportunity to speak directly to the 
Issues at hand. San Benito County will miss her ``Ritaisms''. All those 
who worked with Mrs. Bowling, share my admiration for the unmatched 
dignity and professionalism that she brought to her four terms on the 
board.
  Through her enormous sense of decency, fairness, generosity, and 
commitment to the residents of San Benito County, Mrs. Rita Bowling has 
made it a better place for all residents. Mr. Speaker, it is truly an 
honor to recognize Rita Bowling.

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