[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 201 (Thursday, December 20, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1710-E1711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE JEAN FULLER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 20, 2018

  Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize California State 
Senator Jean L. Fuller, who retires this year from the California State 
Senate following an exemplary career of public service. Over her 
career, Jean served two terms in the State Senate and two terms in the 
State Assembly representing pot1ions of Kern, Tulare, Inyo, and San 
Bernardino counties.
  Born and raised in Shafter, California, Jean began her long career of 
public service as an educator, teaching elementary school in Lemoore, 
California. Later, Jean moved to Los Angeles County where she served in 
a variety of roles in the Keppel Union School District, culminating in 
her service as the District Superintendent from 1990 to 1999. Over her 
career in education, Jean gained firsthand knowledge of the issues 
impacting students and their teachers, building a passion that pushed 
her to dedicate her life to public service. From 1999 to 2006, Jean 
returned home to Kern County to serve as Superintendent of the 
Bakersfield City School District (BCSD), the largest elementary school 
district in the State of California. During her time with BCSD, Jean 
managed the district's 3,500 staff members to foster a safe and 
constructive learning environment for the 28,000 students the district 
served.
  In 2006, Jean brought her years of knowledge and experience in 
education to Sacramento, representing the 32nd State Assembly District 
for four years. By 2010, Jean was successfully elected to represent the 
18th and later 16th Senate Districts, where she became known as a 
consensus-builder among her colleagues. Jean was elected by her 
colleagues to serve as the Republican Leader of the California State 
Senate in 2015, becoming the first woman to hold this important top 
leadership post. During her tenure in the State Legislature, Jean 
achieved significant legislative success despite Republican minorities 
in both legislative chambers. Among her achievements, Jean secured tens 
of millions of dollars in funding to benefit public schools near 
military bases when her bill, SB 111, was signed into law with broad 
bipat1isan supply. Additionally, Jean advanced significant legislation 
to fight Valley Fever, a rare but potentially life-threatening disease 
that is endemic to our community. Through her efforts, Jean secured $3 
million for Valley Fever research for use at the Valley Fever Institute 
at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield. Jean's success in the fight 
against this disease is a significant step forward in finding a cure 
for an ailment that impacts so many in California's Central Valley.
  Anyone wishing to serve the public would do well in emulating Jean's 
tireless work ethic, can-do attitude, and sagacious command of the 
issues impacting our communities and our state. Jean is unquestionably 
one of California's most beloved legislators and has paved a career 
exemplifying the best of public service. Her commitment to fight for 
her principles with civility, and her constant search for consensus and 
solutions among her Senate colleagues reflects the deep and enduring 
respect and admiration she has across the political spectrum. But 
perhaps one of the most honorable traits of a public servant is one 
that Jean is universally known for: keeping her word. From hard-fought 
policy battles on the Senate Floor to her annual travel commitment to 
her friends with the Camp Fire Girls of America, Jean could always be 
counted on, and her presence will be sorely missed in and around our 
community and in the California State Legislature. Jean's transition to 
a private life is a loss to our community, though I know she will spend 
her well-deserved retirement to focus on the things she loves most: her 
family and friends, and traveling and flying with her beloved husband, 
Russell. As Jean begins this new chapter of her life, on behalf of a 
most grateful community, state, and nation, I would like to express my 
profound appreciation to her and to wish her and her family all the 
best

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