[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 21 (Friday, February 17, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO BONNIE TERRY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 16, 2006

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear friend who 
left us far too soon. On January 27, 2006, Bonnie Terry lost her long 
struggle with breast cancer despite drawing on the same determination 
she had used to change the lives of many others. I miss her laugh and 
her belief that any problem was solvable so long as we worked together. 
Bonnie Terry was a community activist, a pillar of faith for the United 
Methodist Church, and a shining example of the power of people to make 
the world a better place.
  This is a loss not only for her family, friends, and colleagues but 
also for San Antonio. We lost a relentless yet optimistic advocate for 
a range of causes. The causes she fought for reads like a master list 
of different organizations to help the disadvantaged. Bonnie worked 
with Habitat for Humanity, United Way, American Red Cross and Network 
Power/Texas, which promotes women's issues. During and after the 1998 
floods, Bonnie served as executive director of the San Antonio 
Interfaith Flood Recovery Alliance. Our community is now poorer for her 
absence.
  So relentless was her drive, not even illness stopped Bonnie from 
working. While fighting breast cancer, she visited my office during the 
Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation's annual visit last May. She told her 
story to me and to other lawmakers. Like so many other Americans, she 
had fallen into the widening fissures of our health care system and 
found herself in need of the type of help she had spent her life 
providing to others. Bonnie testified for the need for insurance 
support for cancer treatment at a National Breast Cancer Coalition 
meeting in Washington seeking legislative policy for access for quality 
care. Moreover, Bonnie made a point of attending the coalition's 
meeting with Senator Hillary Clinton.
  Like many in our city, Bonnie hailed from elsewhere, but there should 
be no doubt that she made San Antonio her home. Born in Germany, Bonnie 
was the child of a military family that eventually settled in San 
Antonio. She graduated from Jefferson High School, San Antonio College, 
and the University of Texas at San Antonio. However, even while working 
on her bachelor's degree, it was apparent that Bonnie would match her 
education to her faith in making her life's work. People will always 
seek a higher purpose in life. Bonnie found hers in serving others and 
in doing so making their lives better.
  If Bonnie's determination was the vessel for her actions, faith was 
her North Star. Steeped in the United Methodist Church, Bonnie sought 
to implement the teachings of the Lord. She served as an urban 
missionary at Travis Park United Methodist Church where she energized a 
food bank and outreach program, which the Reverend Bert Clayton, a 
long-time friend, said this was one of her greatest feats. Her next 
project focused on the downtown's homeless community. The Reverend John 
Flowers, pastor at Travis Park, said Bonnie helped envision a day 
center for homeless or transitional people there that opened in 2004.
  My prayers and thoughts go out to her sisters, brothers, nieces and 
nephews. I hope it comforts them in their time of grief that Bonnie was 
a beloved figure in San Antonio. We will miss her.

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