[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 37 (Thursday, March 1, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING JUDY BLAND FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. PETER J. ROSKAM

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2018

  Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Judy Bland and 
her selfless contributions to the residents of Kane County, Illinois. 
For nearly 20 years, Ms. Bland has worked as a Victim Advocate for the 
Kane County State's Attorney's office.
  In 1996, Ms. Bland joined the office as an intern and soon after was 
offered a full-time position as Administrative Assistant. Less than two 
years later, she began working as a Victim Advocate and was recently 
named as the Director of the Victims' Rights Unit. Early in her career, 
she was asked to advocate for a mother whose 20-month-old daughter was 
a murder victim. Ms. Bland was there every step of the way and her 
persistence encouraged the mother to seek her own career as a 
paralegal.
  When the death sentence of Luther Casteel, who killed two and wounded 
16 in Elgin, Illinois in 2001 was commuted, Ms. Bland personally called 
the families of the victims and survivors informing them of what the 
Governor's action meant. From Ms. Bland's perspective, everyone who 
witnessed the shooting deserved a phone call. Ms. Bland helped 
coordinate crisis and grief counselors in the aftermath of the Northern 
Illinois University attack that killed five and wounded 17. Name a 
major crime or crisis in the last two decades and it is likely Ms. 
Bland helped people deal with the aftermath through her comfort, 
advocacy, and good counsel. It's not an easy nor a glamorous job, but 
the important work that Ms. Bland has done has changed the lives of 
people when they were in the greatest need of support.
  Mr. Speaker, and distinguished colleagues; please join me in 
recognizing and thanking Ms. Judy Bland for her selfless contributions 
to the residents of Kane County, Illinois and her excellent example of 
public service.

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