[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 186 (Tuesday, November 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                       TRIBUTE TO SHARON SHULTZE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 27, 2018

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the 
passing of a truly dedicated public servant, Sharon Shultze. Sharon was 
a tireless advocate for social justice and civility, a loyal senior 
Congressional aide, and generous mentor. Sharon dedicated her life to 
serving the poor, the downtrodden, and the most vulnerable. She will be 
remembered by all those who knew her for her selflessness and love. 
Sharon was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska and moved to San Diego 
after getting married. She was instrumental in creating a ground 
breaking program at the University of San Diego's Law School, the Mira 
Mesa Mediation Center, which helped people from diverse backgrounds 
resolve conflict peacefully and civilly. The center later developed 
into the National Conflict Resolution Center. Sharon worked for Bob 
Filner throughout his entire political career, from the San Diego 
School Board to San Diego City Council to the United States Congress. 
Sharon passionately served the people of San Diego for over three 
decades, taking on various responsibilities throughout Filner's 
different elected offices. One of her favorite projects while working 
for Congressman Filner was helping him chose the district winner of the 
Congressional Art Competition wherein high school students from every 
congressional district in the country compete for an opportunity to 
display their artwork in the halls of Congress.
  Her favorite role, and the one she found most rewarding, was that of 
advocate. Sharon took the most joy out of writing legislation that 
promoted veterans and San Diego residents. Her contributions to the 
veteran community include helping to draft and pass the Post-9/11 
Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008 which provides full, four-
year tuition to military veterans attending public universities across 
the country who enlisted after September 11, 2001. Perhaps the 
achievement Sharon was most proud of in the veteran community was her 
contribution toward the passage of legislation in support of Filipino 
veterans and Merchant Marines who served the United States during World 
War II receiving full veteran benefits, which they had been previously 
denied. Sharon was an amazing, accomplished woman. Her strong worth 
ethic and professionalism made her a role model and devoted mentor to 
the young people who looked to her for guidance both in San Diego and 
in Washington, DC. My office and I were on the receiving end of some of 
her mentorship. Soon after I was elected to Congress, Sharon was the 
first to offer guidance and support. Her best quality, noted by many of 
her friends and family, was that Sharon was a gifted listener. She was 
there for whoever needed her help, without regard for her time and 
energy. Sharon bestowed unconditional positive support, kindness, 
compassion, and empathy to those around her, assuring them that they 
were loved and valued. She shared her ideas and common sense with 
others, always making sure to keep people's best interest in mind. She 
never gave up on making a difference in the world.
  Our thoughts go out to her partner of nearly 30 years, Doug Duffield; 
her three children, Blair, David, and Carol; and Natalie and Zachary, 
her two grandchildren, who made her heart smile.

                          ____________________