[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 203 (Wednesday, December 13, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1691]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CELEBRATING THE MEMORY OF JOANNE COONTZ

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                          HON. J. LUIS CORREA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 13, 2017

  Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, we have lost an incredible individual to our 
society. Joanne Coontz, a trailblazer for women in the City of Orange 
has recently passed away at the age of 88.
  Ms. Coontz was the city's first female council member and the first 
woman elected as mayor. She will always be remembered for her political 
pioneering and her tremendous dedication to the community. During her 
long political career, Ms. Coontz contributed and advocated to various 
causes, some of which include the expansion of the Orange Public 
Library and the creation of its history center. Moreover, Ms. Coontz 
helped establish a Veterans Memorial at Depot Park and Pitcher Park.
  After her time in politics, she spent the rest of her life helping 
her community through nonprofits such as Friendly Center and the Orange 
Community Historical Foundation, volunteering with the Orange Unified 
School District, and much more.
  Ms. Coontz has contributed to the City of Orange in numerous ways and 
will always be remembered as one of the first trailblazers. The City of 
Orange will never be quite the same without Ms. Coontz.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great privilege that I celebrate the memory 
of Ms. Joanne Coontz. A vibrant member of the City of Orange community, 
taken from us too soon.

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