[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 149 (Thursday, October 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MILDRED ROSS BEAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 2009

  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary life of Mrs. Mildred Bean of Walnut Creek, California. A 
proud wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. ``Millie'' was 
exemplary in her unconditional familial devotion, diligent work ethic, 
dedicated national service, and her love of arts and travel. With her 
passing on May 27, 2009, we look to Millie's family to remind us of her 
life's journey and the joyful legacy she inspired.
  Mildred Ross was born on January 30, 1934 in Sacramento, California. 
After graduating high school, Millie began local secretarial work for 
the government. As her family fondly tells it, Millie's long love story 
with Air Force officer Richard ``Dick'' Bean began when he spotted her 
in a red party dress. The two were soon married and embarked on a 
military career that would span the next two decades.
  Over the following ten years, Millie and Dick raised their three 
young children on Long Island, New York's Suffolk County Air Force 
Base. After a brief assignment in North Carolina, the family moved to 
Clark Air Force Base located in the Philippines.
  It was there that Millie and her family had the great joy of spending 
two years stationed together with her sister Laura Brown, Laura's 
husband Joe, and their four children. Millie also enjoyed her time 
abroad by cultivating a love of travel. She and Dick were able to visit 
Singapore, Bangkok, Saudi Arabia, India, Spain, and Thailand during 
their time in Southeast Asia.
  The family eventually returned to California for their last 
assignment on Travis Air Force Base. After Dick retired as an Air Force 
Lieutenant Colonel in 1973, the couple built their dream home in Walnut 
Creek. When the Bean's two eldest children had left for college and 
their youngest was a high school sophomore, Millie returned to work and 
decided to pursue a college degree herself.
  While working full time, Millie graduated Cum Laude from the 
University of San Francisco with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Millie then 
began a respected career with the Alameda Naval Air Station where she 
earned numerous awards, including the Meritorious Civilian Service 
Award, the highest honor given by the Navy to a civilian. At the time 
of her retirement in 1996, Millie had contributed 27 years of service 
to the Navy and was a GM-13 Performance Review Division Head.
  In the midst of many accomplishments, Millie was quick to remind 
others that she was most proud of her children, Tony Bean, Kimberly 
Perry, and Laurie Adams. Millie's highest priority was to nurture and 
enjoy her extended family, which grew as her children married their 
spouses and gave Millie and Dick five beautiful grandchildren.
  I have known Millie for many years. Her generosity, her friendship 
and her beautiful smile will forever be etched in my heart. She was a 
consistent supporter and encouraged me every step of the way. I 
cherished her friendship and will miss her tremendously.
  After retirement, Millie and Dick enjoyed season tickets to the 
symphony and ballet, travel adventures in Europe and Asia, weekend 
getaways in Cannel, and a final vacation to Hawaii that Dick will 
forever treasure. Millie's joy for life was not only contagious, but an 
invaluable lesson to her loved ones in times of uncertainty and doubt.
  Always social and active, Millie kept a monthly lunch date with 
friends and enjoyed taking her grandchildren to the Nutcracker Ballet. 
Undoubtedly, the countless small and subtle acts of love that Millie 
demonstrated in her lifetime will continue to be powerful gifts to the 
people she cherished most.
  Today, California's 9th Congressional District salutes and honors a 
great human being, our beloved Millie Bean. We extend our deepest 
condolences to Millie's husband and family. Thank you for sharing her 
great spirit with us. May her soul rest in peace.

                          ____________________