[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 143 (Monday, September 9, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1106-E1107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF BEVERLY ELIAS MILLER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 9, 2019

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, on the occasion of her well-deserved 
retirement, I rise to honor Beverly Elias Miller, an exceptional woman, 
an exemplary community leader and an extraordinary human being. In her 
29 years on the coast of San Mateo county, Bev touched the lives of 
just about every coastsider and her contributions are ingrained in the 
fabric of this wonderful community. I feel very fortunate to count her 
as a close friend. We first met in 1992 at a Soroptimists award event 
that she, of course, choreographed.
  Originally from Marinette, Wisconsin, Bev launched her career in the 
banking industry in Spokane, Washington in 1967. Starting out as a 
trainee in the key punch department she learned almost all aspects of 
banking over the following 32 years. She came to the coast in 1991 and 
served as the branch manager of First National Bank before being 
promoted to vice president and regional manager. When the Bank of 
America shut down its earliest branch, located in the tiny rural town 
of Pescadero, Bev and local farmers and businesses came together to 
open a branch of her bank so that loans and banking services remained 
available. In an era before the term ``unbanked'' was popularized, Bev 
ensured that farm workers could cash their paychecks

[[Page E1107]]

to pay the rent. Today, the successor to First National maintains that 
branch and the relationship with the community, so wise was Bev's 
investment of time and energy in the economic development of this 
little town.
  Grass never grew under her feet and, to prove the point, in 2000 she 
accepted the position as chief financial officer at San Francisco 
Brannan Street Wholesale Florist Incorporated. This is a very large 
wholesale operation in San Francisco, and a perfect work environment 
given Bev's love for flowers, particularly roses. Bev is an avid 
gardener and the roses in her garden look like award winners. It was 
also a natural transition from working with the coastside's farmers, 
many of whom sold their product at this facility. However, Bev never 
severed her relationship with coastside businesses and charities.
  Whether it's Farm Day, the Pumpkin Festival, Dream Machine, the 
Harbor Lights Boat Lighting Contest or any other signature event on the 
coast, Bev was present and most likely running the show. Several of 
these events served as fundraisers for charities, and Bev was always 
serving food, pouring drinks, or raising money. She also used the bully 
pulpit of the Chamber of Commerce to promote tourism so that her 
customers and our residents could thrive during good times and survive 
as recessions came and went.
  Throughout her time on the coast, and although she worked full time, 
she found time to volunteer long hours. She served on the board of 
directors of the San Mateo Event Center. For 12 years, she served on 
the board of directors of the Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce. Since 
1992 she has been the chair for Mel Mello Farm Day, a delightful annual 
luncheon that has brought together farmers, small business owners and 
community leaders for 50 years. It is one of my favorite events of the 
year and I always cherish spending that day with Bev. She is the main 
engine behind this elaborate luncheon, complete with local recipes for 
artichokes and Brussels sprouts. So ubiquitous is Bev's presence that 
the Chamber created an award to be given to a community leader. It's 
named the Bev Miller Community Service Award. A true civic volunteer, 
she also served on the board of her homeowner's association and keeps 
her home as immaculate as her garden. She is known for constantly 
redecorating her house. Bev simply can't sit still and is always in 
motion.
  One of the most difficult but important jobs in any community is 
serving on the board sofa nonprofit for disabled seniors. Bev served on 
the board of the Coastside Adult Day Health Center, a remarkable 
institution that has provided loving care for the elderly for decades. 
She was a judge for the Harbor Lights Boat Lighting Contest, served on 
the Dream Machine Committee, and always was the first volunteer to 
arrive at the Pumpkin Festival and the last to leave. Hundreds of 
thousands visit the festival each year. If you run a non-profit 
organization, you clearly want Bev on your board.
  Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to 
celebrate the joy of life (goie de vivre) of Bev Miller. She's leaving 
the coastside and will be dearly missed. She is returning to Spokane 
unleashing an immediate rise in energy and optimism once she enters its 
community hall or local government center. She will stay engaged in any 
town that she calls home. Service to others is in her DNA and I wish 
her all the best in the next chapter in her life. I, along with 
countless coastsiders, will deeply miss her.

                          ____________________