[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 82 (Tuesday, June 15, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S6801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        TRIBUTE TO BETTY STRONG

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, earlier this month, Sioux City, IA, 
lost one of its most passionate and beloved community leaders, Betty 
Strong.
  Betty was an adopted daughter of Iowa--she was born and raised in 
Missouri--but she became a true Iowan, through and through. She moved 
to Sioux City in 1953, and for the next half century she worked 
tirelessly for her community and as an activist in the Democratic 
Party. She was one of those people who always strove to make a positive 
difference in the lives of those around her, and Betty succeeded 
magnificently.
  Betty's understanding and passion for politics made her an invaluable 
participant in countless State, local, and national campaigns. She was 
a delegate for Vice President Walter Mondale at the 1984 Democratic 
National Convention, and participated in Senator Joseph Biden's 1988 
Presidential campaign in Iowa. In 2000, she coordinated Iowans for 
Gore.
  I met Betty more than 20 years ago and she quickly became a very dear 
friend and trusted political counselor. She was my chief supporter and 
organizer in Sioux City during my first campaign for the Senate.
  In 1976, Betty became the first woman to be elected chairperson of 
the Woodbury County Democratic Party, and she also served on a variety 
of other local Democratic and women's organizations.
  Betty's tireless organizing and campaigning in the late 1980s helped 
to win the vote to build four new high schools and a juvenile detention 
center in Sioux City. From 1989 until her death, Betty served as the 
president of the Missouri River Historical Development Inc., a 
nonprofit group that built the $4 million Sioux City Lewis and Clark 
Interpretive Center. Betty was very proud of that center, which, she 
said, ``brings history alive for people of all ages.''
  The list of Betty's accomplishments runs long, and is a testament to 
all she has done to better the lives of the people around her. She was 
involved in politics for all the right reasons. She wasn't seeking 
fame. She simply wanted a government that worked for all people. Betty 
Strong embodied the qualities and spirit that people in my State 
cherish.
  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Betty's husband Darrell, their 
children Sharon, Jackie, and Marvin, and their spouses. Iowans are 
deeply indebted to Betty for her devotion to public service. We will 
miss her greatly.

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