[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 22, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E361]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING MS. LEONA EGELAND RICE

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Leona 
Egeland Rice upon her retirement after over four decades of public 
service and leadership in California. Ms. Rice has served our state as 
a teacher, an elected official, and an advocate for quality healthcare.
  A native of Tucson, Arizona, Ms. Egeland Rice came to California to 
earn a master's degree in education at San Jose State University. She 
stayed in California as she began her family and her career as a 
science teacher. While political issues always interested her, Ms. 
Egeland Rice first became personally involved in the public sphere 
through her instrumental role in the campaign to build a new sewage 
treatment plan to prevent ocean pollution.
  After the success of her first community organizing experience, Ms. 
Egeland Rice found a new passion for local involvement. She worked with 
the Santa Clara County Supervisor's office to ensure women were 
appointed to boards and commissions in the county. In 1974, she 
launched her first campaign for the California State Assembly and won 
with over 57 percent of the vote. When she took office, only one other 
woman served in the State Assembly. Ms. Egeland Rice later led the 
charge to change members' title from ``Assemblyman'' to ``Assembly 
Member'' to reflect the body's growing diversity.
  During her three terms in the Assembly, Ms. Egeland Rice successfully 
championed important legislation to improve children's welfare, public 
health, and access to healthcare across the state. After leaving the 
State Assembly, Ms. Rice became Chief Deputy Director for the 
California Department of Human Services, where she established an 
office in Los Angeles and worked on maternal and children's health.
  Ms. Egeland Rice returned to Northern California to spend time with 
her family in 1998. There she began working with The Doctors Company, a 
physician-owned insurance company. She helped lead the company's growth 
over the past two decades, and served as Senior Vice President of 
Government Relations as well as Executive Director of the company's 
charitable foundation. As The Doctors Company expanded beyond 
California, Ms. Egeland Rice developed partnerships with other state 
governments. Furthermore, she championed the Corporate Charitable 
program and implemented an Employee Charitable Gift Matching program.
  Mr. Speaker, Leona Egeland Rice has served as a dedicated and 
influential teacher, public servant, and business leader in our 
community for over four decades. Therefore, it is fitting and proper 
that we honor Ms. Egeland Rice here today and extend our best wishes 
for an enjoyable retirement.

                          ____________________