[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 18 (Thursday, February 12, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E172-E173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING HELEN RUDEE'S 86TH BIRTHDAY

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                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 2004

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Helen Rudee who, 
on February 20, 2004, will celebrate her eighty-sixth birthday. For all 
of her adult life, Ms. Rudee has been an outspoken advocate for women, 
children, health and environmental issues.
  Helen was raised in North Dakota and moved to California to attend 
San Francisco Junior College and Stanford University Nursing School. 
After marrying and having four children, her husband died leaving her 
to care for them. As a mother, Helen's first priority was raising her 
children. She was very active with their schools and served as a member 
of the PTA before serving on the Santa Rosa Board of Education for 10 
years. In recognition of all her work, she received the Honorary 
Service and Continuing Service Awards from the California Congress of 
Parents and Teachers, Inc.
  In 1976, Helen was the first woman elected to the Sonoma County Board 
of Supervisors. As a member of the Board of Supervisors for 12 years, 
she had a reputation for being accessible and for gathering the 
opinions of as many of her constituents as possible before making a 
final decision on matters of importance.
  Throughout her career, Ms. Rudee has been dedicated to bringing more 
women into political offices. Women often go to her for guidance when 
considering running for office and she is always generous with her 
time, knowledge and advice. Despite retiring at age 70, she has 
remained as active in her retirement as when she was on the Board.
  Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Women's History Month, I was 
proud to honor Helen at the National Women's History Project event, 
``Honoring 20th Century Women,'' on March 22, 2000 in Statuary Hall in 
the Capitol. Throughout my career, Helen has been an inspiration to me 
and many other women who are in politics and other male-dominated 
fields.
  Mr. Speaker, Helen Rudee has been an active and outspoken community 
leader for many years. She is a trailblazer who has made it better for 
all women.

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