[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 59 (Monday, April 4, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E353]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING BETTY RHODES AS WOMAN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                           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 Rhodes, 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.
  Mrs. Rhodes was born in Taft, California, in 1927. She graduated from 
Fairfax High School in Los Angeles and then attended Los Angeles City 
College and Ventura Junior College. She married her husband, Tom, in 
1950, and they moved to Ventura County. The couple relocated to Napa in 
the 1980s to be closer to one of their daughters Judy.
  After Tom Rhodes passed away in 1990, Mrs. Rhodes became greatly 
involved in the Napa County community, joining the Napa County 
Commission on Aging, where she has served for 15 years. She used her 
experience with the agency to spearhead the Napa County Caregiver 
Ordinance, which requires independent caregivers and home care aides to 
complete a background check and register through the state. The 
Ordinance, which was adopted by the Napa County Board of Supervisors, 
is nicknamed ``Betty's Law'' in honor of her tireless, seven-year 
advocacy for the Ordinance.
  Additionally, Mrs. Rhodes has been a voice for seniors by serving on 
the Napa County Paratransit Coordinating Council, Napa and Solano Area 
Agency on Aging, and Molly's Angels Board of Directors. She also writes 
a weekly column for the Napa Valley Register about issues that are 
important to seniors.
  As a member of the California Senior Leadership Alliance, Mrs. Rhodes 
has advocated for seniors at the state level by meeting with State 
Senators and Assembly Members to discuss matters that affect seniors. 
In 2008, the Napa Valley Chamber of Commerce named Mrs. Rhodes the 
Community Booster of the Year, honoring her distinguished record of 
leadership.
  Mrs. Rhodes has four children, Greg, Susan, Steven, and Judy, seven 
grandchildren, twelve greatgrandchildren and one great-great 
grandchild.
  Madam Speaker, it is evident that Betty Rhodes has dedicated her life 
to advocating for the senior citizens of Napa County. Therefore, it is 
fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

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