[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    IN RECOGNITION OF ANN COUSINEAU

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 1, 2009

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, Representative George Miller, 
Representative Mike Thompson, and I rise today in honor of Ann 
Cousineau, director of Solano County Library for the last 15 years. As 
her colleagues, friends and family gather together to celebrate the 
next chapter of her life, we ask all of our colleagues to join us in 
saluting this outstanding public servant and supporter of free and 
public libraries.
  Transforming a library system that was teetering on the brink of a 
financial abyss into one of the premier libraries in the state, Ann did 
this not by ``shushing'' exuberant voices and library users, but by 
embracing the need to bring libraries into the 21st Century. Her legacy 
is a system of eight libraries that are central to lifelong learning in 
the communities that they serve, and in changing lives every day.
  Ann Cousineau's hard work and vision benefit our next generation as 
well as generations to come. Three new libraries were built during her 
tenure. These new library buildings, along with renovations of the five 
existing buildings, are part of a 20-year facilities master plan to 
build and renovate libraries in the cities served by Solano County 
Library.
  In 1999, Ann Cousineau served as co-chair of the statewide initiative 
for the successful passage of Proposition 14, a $350 million statewide 
library construction bond act. The Fairfield Cordelia Library, which 
opened in 2006, is one of 45 libraries throughout California that were 
built with the help of these funds. The next year the California 
Library Association named her Member of the Year for her achievements 
in promoting state legislation benefitting libraries.
  During her time as director, the Library has developed a telephone 
assistance center and an award-winning Web site with 24/7 reference 
services. Streamlined operations, self service functions and a staff 
trained to handle everything from story-time to computer class are just 
a few examples of a ``new way of doing business'' pioneered by Solano 
County Library and adopted by other libraries throughout California.
  Madam Speaker, we are truly honored to pay tribute to our friend and 
dedicated public servant. We ask all of our colleagues to join with us 
in wishing Ann continued success and happiness in all of her future 
endeavors.

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