[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 93 (Monday, June 11, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO PAT LOOMES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 11, 2007

  Mr. STARK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Pat Loomes, 
upon her retirement from Girls Inc. after 30 years of distinguished 
service to girls in Alameda County, California. This fall, Ms. Loomes 
will retire from Girls, Inc. leaving an organization that now serves 
more than 7,000 girls, has more than 90 staff members and a $5 million 
budget.
  While feminists across the country marched to demand equal rights in 
the workplace, in the classroom, and at home, Pat Loomes realized that 
improving the quality of women's lives meant empowering them in their 
most formative years, when they were girls. Although many of her 
friends disagreed, arguing that advocating for girls weakened the 
women's movement, she followed her heart. Her commitment to leveling 
the playing field for girls laid the foundation for Girls Incorporated 
of Alameda County and contributed to the organization's impressive 
growth.
  Pat Loomes saw Girls, Inc. as a vital opportunity to set girls' lives 
on the right track and give them the skills needed to lead productive 
and fulfilling lives. Among her first accomplishments was a grant from 
the Department of Labor that allowed girls to learn about carpentry, 
construction and other non-traditional jobs from women already in the 
industry.
  Soon, she realized that girls' programs received far fewer funds from 
United Way than boys' programs and embarked on a campaign to end the 
discrimination. She recalls, `` I wrote a letter every week to the 
president of the board asking to increase funding until I got a 
response.'' Pat Loomes' campaign led to equitable funding, not only for 
Girls Inc. of Alameda County, but also for other girls' programs such 
as Campfire Girls, YWCA and the Girl Scouts.
  In 1983, she created a formal program to treat child victims of 
sexual abuse. When government funds were discontinued for pregnant 
teens across the country, Girls Inc. moved to fill the gap and provided 
sex education and life options beyond high school, such as college, 
work, and travel.
  Ms. Loomes achievements and success with the myriad of programs at 
Girls, Inc. have been recognized by numerous organizations, such as 
United Way and then, Seaton Manning Outstanding Agency Professional 
Award for her leadership and advocacy on behalf of girls.
  I join the community in thanking Pat Loomes for her outstanding 
legacy. She has molded and shaped the girls' movement in a profound way 
that will be felt for generations.

                          ____________________