[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 165 (Friday, November 6, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF MARDI WORMHOUDT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 6, 2009

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today, with my colleague Anna Eshoo 
to honor the memory of a great woman and model citizen, Mardi 
Wormhoudt. Mardi passed away October 21, 2009 in her Santa Cruz home at 
the age of 72. Mardi was an influential politician, a loving mother and 
wife, and a dedicated friend.
  Mardi was born October 1, 1937 in Wisconsin. She graduated with 
honors from California State University at Los Angeles in 1967. During 
the late 1960's and early 1970's, Mardi worked as a caseworker for the 
Los Angeles Department of Social Services, as well as a project 
director for the Martin Luther King Center in Pasadena. During this 
time, Mardi and her husband Ken, the love of her life, started a family 
with the birth of their children: Zachary, Jonathon, Jacob and Lisa.
  In the mid 1970's, Mardi moved her family to Santa Cruz and by 1981 
she was an elected official. She was soon Santa Cruz County's leading 
female official. She is best known for her time as Mayor when she 
helped lead Santa Cruz through the tragic Loma Prieta earthquake. We 
all remember the iconic image of her briefing President Bush, 
Representative Panetta, State Senator Mello, Assemblyman Farr against 
the backdrop of destruction along Pacific Avenue. Mardi helped keep the 
spirits of citizens high, and encouraged the city to unite in 
rebuilding efforts. In total, Mardi dedicated twenty-one years to 
public office. Mardi will also be forever remembered for her dedication 
to women's rights, environmental protection, and a firm belief in local 
economic growth. Mardi was also an advocate for those who were 
marginalized and overlooked.
  Mardi was constantly active in the community as a member of a 
plethora of groups, including: The Santa Cruz City School District and 
the Santa Cruz AIDS project. She also received a vast stable of awards, 
including: The People's Democratic Club Woman of the Year 1988 and the 
1991 nomination by then Assemblyman Sam Farr for The California State 
Assembly Woman of the Year. Those who were close friends of Mardi will 
especially remember her for her veracity, playful humor, hard-working 
personality, loyalty, and devotion to family.
  Madam Speaker, we know as co-representatives of Santa Cruz County 
that we speak for the entire House when we extend our deepest 
sympathies to her family, and our deepest appreciation for the work she 
did to make her community and the world a better place.

                          ____________________