[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 169 (Monday, November 16, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S11380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       REMEMBERING JUANITA HELMS

 Mr. BEGICH. Mr. President, I wish to remember the life of an 
extraordinary resident from my home State of Alaska, Juanita Lou Helms. 
Ms. Helms passed away on November 7, 2009, in her hometown of 
Fairbanks. She was 68.
  Ms. Helms was active in local community organizations, politics, and 
most importantly, was devoted to her husband, their four children, and 
grandchildren.
  Juanita began her public service on the borough assembly in 1980, but 
she is most well known in the community for becoming the Fairbanks 
North Star Borough's first female mayor in 1985. During her two terms, 
Mayor Helms sheparded the Borough through difficult financial times. As 
an ``open door'' mayor and terrific listener, she inspired the trust 
needed to find common ground among her constituents.
  Among her accomplishments was the construction of the community's 
convention center, improving air quality, and helping thaw the ``ice 
curtain'' by establishing a sister city relationship with Yakutsk in 
Eastern Russia.
  Away from the political realm, Ms. Helms was involved in innumerable 
civic endeavors, especially parent-teacher groups in Fairbanks. She 
also held an assortment of jobs in the community from carhop to court 
clerk to rental property manager.
  In her personal life Juanita was an avid dancer who was loved by her 
family and all who knew her. She and her husband Sam were devoted to 
their children Fawn, Selene, Ren, and Karisse. They were so deeply 
involved in their lives and those of their many grandchildren that the 
number of events they attended and participated in are virtually 
countless.
  Juanita will be missed by her family, friends, and all of the people 
she touched in the State of Alaska.

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