[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 8, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CALIFORNIA SENATOR LUCY KILLEA

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2017

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a beloved and 
widely respected public servant who died at the age of 94. Through her 
visionary and inspirational leadership she brought forward generations 
of leaders dedicated to the public good and the growth of the City of 
San Diego, and the State of California.
  It is fitting that at this time, as we celebrate the history of the 
contributions of women throughout the month of March that I should rise 
to speak of Senator Lucy Killea.
  Lucy's life of public service began during WWII, working as a 
military intelligence officer with the Central Intelligence Agency, and 
as an aide to First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, in 1946, during the first 
General Assembly of the United Nations.
  She and her husband John Killea, served ten years as U.S. diplomats 
in Mexico, which no doubt influenced Lucy's commitment to foster 
dialogue and collaboration between the United States and Mexico. After 
their diplomatic service Lucy, and her husband, moved to San Diego, 
where she completed a doctorate in Latin American History from the 
University of California, San Diego. Lucy had a full career prior to 
running for political office.
  In 1978, San Diego Mayor Pete Wilson, appointed Lucy, to an empty 
seat on the City Council. In 1982 she was elected to the California 
State Assembly, where she established the first bipartisan women's 
caucus in the legislature, and won election to the California State 
Senate in 1989. She championed the environment, women's health, and 
ethical governmental practices. She honored her constituents and placed 
their interests above her own.
  As I remember Lucy, I think of her not only as a dynamic and 
committed public servant but as a mentor, a role model and a friend. 
She worked tirelessly to support women and young people in their 
efforts to win public office. I count myself among the many 
Californians involved in public service, who, when confronted with 
tough political situations, often ask themselves, ``What would Lucy 
do?'' We recall how she left the Democratic Party and ran as an 
independent when she no longer believed that she could serve her 
constituents with a party label.
  The word trailblazer is often used to describe her political 
leadership and it is in many ways inadequate to describe how much she 
has contributed to San Diego, her adopted city, and the great State of 
California.
  Lucy's honesty, integrity and respect for civil discourse made her a 
remarkable leader and a dear friend to many. She truly represents the 
``best of us,'' and is dearly missed.

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