[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 35 (Thursday, March 11, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S1453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO GENEVIEVE ``GENE'' SEGERBLOM

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Genevieve ``Gene'' 
Segerblom for a lifetime of service to her family, community, and the 
entire State of Nevada. It has been my privilege to serve the State of 
Nevada for close to 45 years in a variety of capacities, and during 
this time I have worked alongside monumental figures from my home 
State. Yet, perhaps no other person with whom I have come in contact 
over these years has been as great a force for good as has Gene. Gene 
will soon be celebrating her 92nd birthday, and on this occasion I am 
happy to recognize her life and accomplishments before the U.S. Senate.
  Gene was born in Ruby Valley, near Elko, NV. Gene and her family 
moved to Salt Lake City when she was a baby, but the Great Depression 
brought them to the Reno area, where Gene attended junior high school. 
After graduating from high school in Winnemucca, Gene enrolled as a 
mechanical engineering student at the University of Nevada but changed 
her major to education. It was during this time that Gene met Cliff 
Segerblom, the man she eventually married and with whom she raised two 
children, Robin and Richard. After her graduation, Gene relocated to 
Boulder City, NV, where she worked as a school teacher.
  This upcoming Monday, March 15, Gene will celebrate her 92nd birthday 
at an event honoring her late husband's artwork. Nevada: The 
Photography of Cliff Segerblom, is certain to display Cliff's marvelous 
talent in capturing with his artistic eye the state that I love. I 
would like to take a moment to speak about Gene's husband Cliff. Cliff 
Segerblom was one of Nevada's most accomplished artists. Although he 
was best known for his work with watercolors, Cliff also thrived in 
photography and acrylics. I am lucky enough to own some of Cliff's 
incredible paintings, and I count them among my most prized 
possessions. Gene's husband displayed incredible gifts, and I know that 
all of Nevada has been enriched by his talents.
  Gene is a third-generation Nevadan and comes from a family with a 
long tradition of public service in Nevada. Her grandfather, W. J. 
Bell, was in the Nevada Legislature, and her mother, Hazel Bell Wines, 
was a Humboldt County assemblywoman. Like her mother and grandfather 
before her, Gene took an active interest in the betterment of her 
community. In 1979, she ran for and won a seat on the Boulder City 
Council. Her election coincided with an uneasy period of growth for 
Boulder City, a time in which the city's water and power resources were 
dwindling. However, Gene met the problem head-on and helped to bring 
about an era of sustainable growth to Boulder City.
  By 1993, Gene was serving in the Nevada State Assembly, representing 
Boulder City, Henderson, Laughlin, and my hometown of Searchlight. In 
2000, Gene Segerblom's time in the assembly came to a close. However, 
it was not long before her son Richard ``Tick'' Segerblom followed in 
his mother's footsteps and was elected to the Nevada State Legislature.
  My wife Landra and I feel grateful for the chance to call Gene a dear 
friend. Indeed, Gene's life has been one of friendship and compassion 
to all Nevadans. I am proud of all that she has accomplished, and all 
she will continue to achieve. I wish her a very happy 92nd birthday.

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