[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 74 (Monday, May 19, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E995]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PAYING TRIBUTE TO ELIZABETH GUYTON GIRCH

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                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 19, 2003

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with a solemn heart that I rise today 
to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Elizabeth Guyton Girch of 
Rocky Ford, Colorado. Elizabeth gave selflessly of her time and her 
money in order to help the developmentally disabled. Elizabeth also 
distinguished herself and made Colorado proud as one of the first women 
in the state to become an attorney. Several years ago, Denver 
University honored Elizabeth's achievements, presenting her with the 
first Mary Lathrop Trailblazer Award for excellence and accomplishment 
by female attorneys.
   It is not Elizabeth's accomplishments as a woman that I wish to 
extol here today; though they are a testament to her tenacity. Instead, 
I wish to honor a life that helped protect some of the most 
disadvantaged members of our society, the developmentally disabled. 
Elizabeth was instrumental in establishing the Arkansas Valley 
Community Center, which serves people in the counties of Otero, Bent 
and Crowley. This was the culmination of her many years advocating for 
the developmentally disabled.
   Mr. Speaker, we are all terribly saddened by the loss of Elizabeth 
Guyton Girch, but we take comfort in the knowledge that Elizabeth's 
legacy of compassion, courage and selflessness overshadows our grief. 
Elizabeth's life embodied both the resolve and the empathy that makes 
this country great, and I am deeply honored to be able to recognize 
Elizabeth's life before this body of Congress.

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