[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 87 (Monday, June 11, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S3896]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        TRIBUTE TO NANCY KEENAN

 Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, today I wish to give my warm 
congratulations to my dear friend and fellow Montanan Nancy Keenan. 
Nancy announced recently that she would step down as President of NARAL 
Pro-Choice America to return to her home state of Montana for some 
well-deserved R & R. Nancy has served as president of NARAL for the 
past 8 years, devoting her time to protecting the rights of women 
across the country.
  Nancy has a storied career that epitomizes the tough female figures 
of Montana history. Nancy grew up in the blue-collar town of Anaconda, 
as one of five children in her Irish Catholic family. Her father was a 
boilermaker for the Anaconda smelter, and her mother worked as a clerk 
at the Marcus Daly Hotel and later at Thrifty Drug Store.
  Upon entering college, Nancy paid her way by taking a job at the 
smelter, becoming one of the first women laborers at the smelter. This 
was a tough and dangerous place to work, shoveling ore and handling big 
buckets of boiling copper. But Nancy took on the challenge with the 
tenacity that we friends have gotten to know very well. Her hard work 
paid off. Nancy became the first in her family to graduate from 
college. She obtained her bachelor's degree in elementary education 
from Eastern Montana College. Later she received her master's degree in 
education administration from the University of Montana. Nancy spent 13 
years teaching special education in Anaconda.
  Nancy speaks fondly of her time growing up in Anaconda, and her 
desire to enter public service was shaped early in life. Nancy once 
told the story of the family discussing public service and political 
happenings while around the dinner table each night. She said, ``I 
remember my dad often posing problems. When my sisters, brothers, and I 
would protest, `But it isn't fair.' my dad would simply reply, `Then 
make it fair.''' Nancy did just that.
  Nancy was first elected to the Montana House of Representatives in 
1983, and she served 6 years as a state legislator. In 1988, she was 
elected to statewide office as the Montana Superintendent for Public 
Instruction, a position she held until 2000.
  As a public official, she never shied away from the difficult issues. 
And Nancy's commitment to women's rights has been steadfast in her 
career. During Nancy's eight years at the helm of NARAL Pro-Choice, she 
has worked nonstop to protect women's right to choose.
  She is a fighter and one of the hardest workers you will ever know. 
She embodies the tenacity and savvy forged while working at the 
Anaconda Copper Smelter to pay for college. Nancy has inspired a new 
generation of leaders, particularly young women, and her dedication to 
Montanans throughout her life deserves our thanks and recognition.
  I congratulate Nancy as she enters the next chapter of her life and 
wish her all the best as she returns to Montana.

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