[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 130 (Tuesday, September 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING DEBBE HARTRIDGE AND IRA SAMUEL BLATT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 6, 2011

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Debbe Hartridge and Ira Blatt, two extraordinary citizens of Humboldt 
County, California, who have dedicated their lives to public service. 
The husband and wife team are being honored by the Humboldt County 
Democratic Central Committee as 2011 Citizens of the Year for one of 
our nation's most precious rights--participation in the political 
system. Their commitment to the general health and welfare of the 
community and to the preservation of our liberty is worthy of 
appreciation and recognition.
  Mrs. Hartridge is director of information, education and public 
affairs for Six Rivers Planned Parenthood, where she has worked for the 
past 20 years. She has served as President of the Humboldt County 
Integrated Waste Task Force, as an elected member of the Humboldt 
County Board of Education, and as President and Chair of the Education 
Committee for the Six Rivers Planned Parenthood Board of Directors. 
Mrs. Hartridge's work on reproductive rights has been honored with the 
Planned Parenthood Federation Affiliate Excellence Award for Education 
programs in 2000 and by the Association of Planned Parenthood Leaders 
in Education Award for Courage and Creativity in 2002.
  Mr. Blatt is an attorney-at-law who opened a private practice law 
firm in 1974, serving primarily injured workers and disabled 
individuals. He received awards from the California Bar Association and 
the Humboldt County Bar Association for his pro-bono work. Mr. Blatt 
served 16 years as an elected board member for Arcata Elementary School 
District, and on the board of Redwood Legal Assistance for 25 years. He 
was Board President of the National Alliance on Mental Illness for four 
years beginning in 2000, and remains an active member. He has also 
served as a member of the Arcata Economic Development Board.
  These outstanding individuals have been vital contributors to the 
Humboldt County community for years. Mrs. Hartridge has four daughters, 
and the couple share four grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Debbe 
Hartridge and Ira Blatt for their unwavering compassion and for their 
contribution to the ideals and traditions that have made America a 
nation of hope and achievement.

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