[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E90]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN HONOR OF JOANNE B. ``JOEY'' LASNIK

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2012

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Joanne B. ``Joey'' 
Lasnik, who passed away January 4, 2012. Lasnik was a longtime 
community activist, volunteer, leader, daughter, grandmother, and 
friend.
   Lasnik was an active member of the Monterey County Commission on the 
Status of Women, the Monterey County Overall Economic Development 
Commission, the Monterey County Democratic Women's Club, a leader on 
the National and local level of the Girl Scouts, the Salinas branch of 
NAACP, and the American Association of University Women, she served on 
the committee for the Fort Ord Task Force, and the advisory Board of 
KHDC. In 1981 Joanne was the first woman ever to be named foreman of 
the Monterey County Grand Jury. Joey proudly served four terms on the 
Hartnell College Board of Trustees.
   Joey always strived to enhance the status of women and seniors 
throughout her professional life as the Executive Director of the 
Volunteer Center for Salinas, Executive Director of the Alliance on 
Aging, a Board member of the Salinas Senior Center, and Executive 
Director of Meals on Wheels of Salinas Valley. She was instrumental in 
developing the vision to build a one-step state of the art Senior 
Center in Salinas. Joey had a talent for grant writing, passion for 
education, and beliefs in fairness and equality. She helped to train 
others to continue and expand on her work. She is considered an 
important mentor to many women.
   Joanne had many tremendous accomplishments from her Bachelors in 
Education for the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Masters in 
Science from Purdue University, to all of her volunteer work, helping 
to organize women's shelters and partaking in numerous community 
groups. In addition, she was an accomplished needle-pointer, 
seamstress, and creative cook, but most of all she was a proud parent 
to Leslie, Jay, Mark, her daughter in law and beloved grandchildren as 
well as her ``adopted'' sons from Japan she hosted for over 10 years.
   Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House in mourning the 
passing of this dedicated and loving woman. Her life was a gift to her 
community, a shining example to be emulated by those who she inspired 
to continue her work.

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