[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 23, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MRS. HILDA ZIMMERLY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 23, 2016

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Women's History month 
I rise today to honor Mrs. Hilda Zimmerly, an outstanding individual 
from the state of Florida.
  Originally from Ohio, Mrs. Zimmerly moved to LaBelle, Florida in 1977 
after previously serving as a teacher and a bookkeeper in her home 
state. While in Ohio, Mrs. Zimmerly paused her college education in 
order to fill the need for teachers in the region, taking up part time 
teaching during her third year of college, all while balancing family 
and her other job as a secretary. Once she moved to LaBelle, she 
continued to work as a secretary to provide for her family and three 
young children. Mrs. Zimmerly eventually saved up enough to open up 
Hilda's Stitchery Shoppe. It was located in the same building as the 
business she served as a secretary, which enabled her to work both jobs 
concurrently. While working two jobs and raising a family, she was 
still able to stay active in the church, singing in the choir, and 
participating in youth leadership.
  Although she had a small business, Mrs. Zimmerly had always wanted to 
go back to teaching. When a job became available in Glades County in 
the nearby town of Moore Haven, Mrs. Zimmerly moved on to become this 
school's librarian after earning her degree from the University of 
South Florida in media specialty. Her goal of teaching full time became 
a reality when she was hired in 1994 as a 4th grade teacher at LaBelle 
Elementary, teaching there one year until she transferred to County 
Oaks Elementary School also in LaBelle. Mrs. Zimmerly retired from 
County Oaks Elementary after a distinguished fourteen-year career. 
After her retirement, Hilda enjoyed her time sewing, scrapbooking and 
reading until she decided to try her hand at politics. She ran for City 
Commissioner with the help of her thirteen grandchildren, and won. She 
has served the city for ten years in this role. While serving as City 
Commissioner she has been involved in tourism development, the citizens 
traffic safety board and she is an active participant in City 
Government. She hopes to continue in this role for the foreseeable 
future.
  I am privileged to know Mrs. Zimmerly, and admire her commitment to 
the community through a career of education and dedicated public 
service. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Mrs. Zimmerly for 
her continued service to Southwest Florida, and I ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing this remarkable individual.

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