[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 213 (Wednesday, December 16, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1155-E1156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING JACQUIE SULLIVAN ON HER RETIREMENT AS COUNCILMEMBER ON THE 
                        BAKERSFIELD CITY COUNCIL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 16, 2020

  Mr. McCARTHY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Bakersfield's 
longest-serving City Councilmember, Jacquie Sullivan, a constituent and 
longtime friend. Years ago, I remember calling Jacquie to encourage her 
to run for City Council. Now as she prepares to retire, I am honored to 
recognize her legacy and thank her for 25 years of public service to 
the city of Bakersfield and Kern County.
  Born in Bakersfield, Jacquie attended local public schools and later 
moved north, graduating from Tahoe Truckee High School. Soon after 
earning her high school diploma, she secured her real estate license 
and, while raising four children, entered the rental investment 
industry. In 1993, after the loss of her daughter Joyce, Jacquie, 
despite her soft-spoken nature, became one of our community's outspoken 
voices helping to change the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS. She 
worked to educate the next generation, drive awareness of the disease, 
and advocated for more funding for treatments and prevention. Through 
her advocacy, Jacquie spoke at many Kern County school functions and 
helped raise thousands of dollars to provide better care for those 
afflicted with HIV/AIDS.
  In 1995, Jacquie was elected to the Bakersfield City Council. As 
Councilmember for Ward Six, she worked with her colleagues to 
prioritize neighborhood safety, affordable family living, and promoting 
prosperity in her ward and across Bakersfield. During her tenure, she 
enhanced resident quality of life by streamlining building projects, 
introducing a city framework for emergency funding, and fostering 
economic growth opportunities for small businesses.
  Jacquie's advocacy and legacy, however, is not confined just to the 
borders of Bakersfield,

[[Page E1156]]

California. In 2002, she founded In God We Trust America, Inc., a 
nonprofit organization that encourages elected officials to display our 
national motto ``In God We Trust'' in public spaces like at town halls 
and other facilities. As a result of this nonprofit, more than 700 
buildings at various levels of government throughout 37 states have the 
motto displayed including the Bakersfield City Council Chambers, as 
well as the Kern County Sheriff's Department, which recently added 
motto decals to its patrol vehicles.
  It has been a pleasure to work with my close friend Jacquie, 
collaborating with her on issues impacting our community to improve the 
lives of our constituents. While her presence and passion on the 
Bakersfield City Council will certainly be missed, I have no doubt she 
will continue to advocate for the policies and programs that she holds 
dear. On behalf of the 23rd Congressional District of California, I 
thank Jacquie for her service and wish her well as she begins this new 
chapter enjoying time with her children, Richard, Julie, and Linda, and 
her grandchildren.

                          ____________________