[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 129 (Thursday, July 31, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1627-E1628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IN TRIBUTE TO JOAN LEE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 30, 2008

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Joan Lee, a 
dear friend, tireless volunteer and community leader who recently 
passed away. Joan served as the Convener for the Sacramento Gray 
Panthers and was an admired advocate for seniors and people with 
disabilities. As her family and friends gather to honor and remember 
her wonderful life, I ask all my colleagues to join me in saluting one 
of Sacramento's most well-respected figures.
  Joan was a prominent leader in the Sacramento Region, and her death 
leaves a tremendous void in leadership in the fight for the rights of 
seniors, people with disabilities and those with mental health needs. 
Joan's determined and effective advocacy was evident through her early 
work with the Gray Panthers of California, where she was widely 
recognized as a thoughtful policy advocate. Later, along with other 
leaders, Joan helped form and convene the local Sacramento Gray 
Panthers chapter, which now meets regularly at the Hart Senior Center.
  Through her advocacy at the local, State and national levels, Joan 
became an important ambassador between diverse groups and helped devise 
strategies for healthcare reform. Joan was a stalwart for progressive 
causes, and her passion and commitment to these issues resonated in her 
advocacy. While in her mid-50's, Joan returned to college and earned a 
degree in Gerontology. She then used her knowledge to fight for the 
rights of older adults on many fronts, including creating an innovative 
long term care program in Northern California and successfully 
advocating for medical schools to have required courses in gerontology.
  At the Federal level, Joan often stood next to me and my late husband 
Congressman Bob

[[Page E1628]]

Matsui in the fight against cuts to Medicare. She also was an 
articulate voice during the implementation of the Medicare Part D 
prescription drug program, offering insights on how to improve the 
program. Joan was an active member of the OuRx coalition, which links 
low income seniors with prescription drug discount plans. Furthermore, 
she never wavered in the fight to preserve the integrity of the Social 
Security program.
  At the State Capitol, Joan became someone who was known in the 
corridors of power. She served on many policymaking groups, including 
the Olmstead Advisory Committee. The Committee was in charge of 
implementing the landmark 1999 U.S. Supreme Court ``Olmstead Decision'' 
which requires States to take steps to avoid the unnecessary 
institutionalization of seniors and people with disabilities. From 
advocating for an accessible and affordable health care system to 
ensuring Medicare is responsive to our Nation's seniors needs, Joan 
always stood up for what is right.
  Madam Speaker, as Joan Lee's husband Arnie Godmintz, her children 
John, David and Cleo and her friends gather to honor her wonderful 
legacy and countless contributions, I am honored to pay tribute to her. 
I ask all my colleagues to pause and join me in paying respect to an 
extraordinary loving woman, Joan Lee.

                          ____________________