[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 107 (Tuesday, July 5, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING MS. BETTY REID SOSKIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARK DeSAULNIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 5, 2016

  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Ms. Betty Reid 
Soskin, a constituent, friend, and influential figure in my 
congressional district in Contra Costa County, California.
  For my colleagues who may not know Betty, she is a fabled Park Ranger 
with the National Park Service at the Rosie the Riveter/World War II 
Home Front National Historic Park. She also enjoys the unique 
distinction of our nation's oldest Park Ranger at age 94.
  Betty has a tremendous life story. Born in Detroit, Betty and her 
family lived in New Orleans before relocating to Oakland, California in 
1927. She worked as a file clerk for the Boilermakers Union A-36 during 
World War II, a Jim Crow all-African American union auxiliary. In the 
1950s, she moved with her family to Walnut Creek where she fought 
against discrimination in her new mostly-white neighborhood, became 
active in her local church, and became a well-known songwriter during 
the civil rights movement during the 1960s.
  In 1995, Betty was named a ``Woman of the Year'' by the California 
State Legislature and was named one of the nation's ten outstanding 
women in 2006 by the National Women's History Project.
  As a field representative for members of the California legislature, 
Betty was active in the development of the Rosie the Riveter/World War 
II Home Front National Historic Park to acknowledge the role of black 
neighborhoods surrounding the Richmond, California site, which had been 
bulldozed after the war. She now serves the park as a Ranger. In 2015, 
the White House recognized Betty with a Presidential Coin after she 
introduced President Obama at the National Christmas Tree lighting 
ceremony at the White House.
  Last week, Betty was brutally assaulted and robbed when an unknown 
assailant broke into her home. True to form, Betty fought off her 
assailant, but during the encounter the thief managed to steal various 
personal items--among them, a special commemorative coin given to her 
by President Obama when she helped light the national Christmas tree 
last winter.
  Thanks to her strong spirit and perseverance, Betty is recovering 
quickly. Our office has been in touch with the White House to ensure 
Betty receives a new commemorative coin from the President to replace 
the one that was stolen.
  We are thankful that Betty was not more seriously injured, and we 
look forward to welcoming her back to full health. Her spirit and drive 
are an inspiration to Californians everywhere.

                          ____________________