[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 59 (Monday, April 4, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E346-E347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING BETTY LABASTIDA AS WOMAN OF THE YEAR

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 4, 2022

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Betty Labastida, whom I have named the 2022 Woman of the Year in Napa 
County, California. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have made 
important contributions to California's 5th Congressional District in 
Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and 
Innovation or Community Service.
  Ms. Labastida was born in El Centro, California, to Rosa and Leopoldo 
Labastida. She graduated from California State University, Los Angeles 
in 1968 with a degree in nursing. Ms. Labastida began her professional 
career in hospital nursing, and then worked in public health nursing. 
After earning her master's degree in health service and family nurse 
practice from the University of California, Davis in 1973, she worked 
for county medical services and community clinics for 43 years. During 
her nursing career, she also spent 20 years working with the Department 
of State Foreign Service.
  After retiring from nursing in 2014, Ms. Labastida became dedicated 
to community service. She is best known for her work as a volunteer at 
COVID vaccination sites in Napa County, where she utilizes her family 
nurse practitioner experience and her bilingual speaking skills to help 
people register for vaccinations and infection screenings. Ms. 
Labastida has volunteered at approximately 55 vaccination clinics, 
primarily through Ole Health.
  Ms. Labastida has been a devoted volunteer with the non-profit Napa 
Valley CanDo, which creates and collects donations for food banks. She 
has volunteered in CanDo's community garden for four years and has 
served as a Food Project Neighborhood Coordinator for five years.
  Ms. Labastida is known throughout her community for her humble 
demeanor, dedication to others, cheery disposition, and bright smile. 
When she is not serving her community, she is having adventures abroad. 
She is also a devoted mother and grandmother to her daughter, Alisa, 
and her grandson, Sebastian.
  Madam Speaker, it is evident that Betty Labastida has dedicated her 
life to the people of Napa County through her community service and 
nursing career. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her 
here today.

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