[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 150 (Wednesday, December 10, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H9028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN MEMORY OF MARGARET COLF HEPOLA

  (Ms. HERRERA BEUTLER asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. HERRERA BEUTLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in great admiration 
and a little bit of humility because I get to honor the life of a 
tremendous woman, a friend from southwest Washington who has made a 
lasting impact on our region. She passed away this week at the age of 
97.
  A lifelong resident of Clark County, Margaret Colf Hepola could 
recount the history of southwest Washington in a way that was more 
complete and exponentially more colorful than any history book. Her 
great grandparents moved to the Lewis River Valley before Washington 
had even claimed statehood, and more than 140 years later, Margaret's 
family still calls our region home.
  There are people who live in a community, and then there are people 
who define what ``community'' means. Margaret was the latter. She made 
it one of her life ambitions to share the history of the community she 
loved and to preserve the memories of those who came before her. 
Through the Colf family's generous philanthropy, Margaret saved 
historical landmarks, supported museums, and founded the La Center 
Library.
  Margaret's wit, her grit, and her compassion made her one of the most 
celebrated women in our entire region. Twice-widowed and a mother of 
five, Margaret did not let tragedy or the responsibilities of 
motherhood deter her from giving back to the community that she cared 
about so deeply. By the time she had reached the ninth decade of her 
life, Margaret Colf Hepola had become a household name in southwest 
Washington.
  I will conclude today by honoring her legacy, one of a passionate 
historical preservationist who herself has earned a place in southwest 
Washington's history books.

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