[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 131 (Friday, September 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1671]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         HONORING BETTE BOYD FOR HER SERVICE TO HUMBOLDT COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 28, 2012

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Bette Boyd. Mrs. Boyd has exercised the most important duty of 
citizenship, voting in every election since she registered to vote at 
the age of 21 in 1947. She has devoted her time and efforts to 
community endeavors and good citizenship since being first employed in 
war work in 1943.
  When the demand for skilled workers was at a high in 1943, Mrs. Boyd 
went to work in the American Motors plant in Los Angeles. Shortly 
after, she was promoted to lead the work group of women engaged in 
essential war work. Bette embraced her responsibilities and welcomed 
the opportunity to contribute to the war effort.
  Her first job after WWII exposed her to the need for a union voice 
and she began an organizing effort for the United Electrical Workers. 
She advocated for better wages and working conditions for men and women 
engaged in assembly line work. Bette took fellow workers out on strike 
and experienced for the first time the power of owners and management 
when the strike was broken. After the Vietnam War, Bette met refugees 
from south-east Asia who needed help adjusting to American life. She 
assisted refugees in securing employment and was responsible for 
integrating 1500 refugee families into American culture.
  Through her work with Vietnamese refugees, Bette became aware of the 
onset of AIDS in Los Angeles and the Bay Area. She volunteered to work 
with AIDS patients at an early point in the epidemic that would become 
a global scourge. She met Mother Teresa and helped establish an AIDS 
clinic in India. Bette continues her work with AIDS patients today.
  Bette became involved with the poor in India. She proposed to provide 
funds to improve educational opportunities in a rural South India 
village and insisted that girls be offered the same educational 
opportunities as boys. She contributed to the construction of a school 
that would touch hundreds of children. Today that school in Madahalli, 
Karnataka State enrolls 850 children.
  Bette moved to Humboldt County in 1993 and has been involved in 
volunteer work ever since. Her work ranges from helping cancer patients 
get treatment to working with HIV patients, and helping the mentally 
ill. She is a stalwart at Democratic Headquarters and is regularly at 
booths and street fairs. She encourages all who are eligible to 
register and vote, thereby fulfilling the first duty of citizenship.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Bette 
Boyd for her outstanding service to a global citizenry.

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