[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 170 (Friday, October 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1093]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF VIRGINIA S. EATON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 28, 2022

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Virginia 
Eaton, an esteemed doctor, a beloved wife and mother, and a cherished 
community member of the Central Valley.
  Virginia was born on April 23, 1923, to Dorothy and Walter Stammer. 
Born and raised in Fresno, CA, she was an accomplished pianist during 
her childhood and eventually attended Fresno High School. Upon her 
graduation, Virginia decided to leave the Central Valley to attend the 
prestigious Stanford University where she graduated with honors, 
earning a degree in biology in just three years. Virginia then 
continued her academic journey at USC Medical School in 1943, which she 
graduated from at the age of 23 as the only woman in her class. Upon 
completion of medical school, Virginia kickstarted her career in 
pediatrics by completing an internship and residency at Los Angeles 
Children's Hospital before returning to Fresno.
  Back home, she worked as a pediatrician in private practice and met 
Lewis S. Eaton whom she married in 1950. Following the birth of their 
first son, William, Virginia moved her practice to the Fresno County 
Public Health Department where she traveled to various rural farm and 
Native American communities that lacked access to resident 
pediatricians. She worked tirelessly for these communities until her 
two youngest children, Joan and John, went off to college, prompting 
Virginia to begin working for the Central Valley Regional Center in 
1974. Here, Virginia was a pioneer in using genetics to help diagnose 
and assist children with developmental disabilities and continued her 
good work at the Central Valley Regional Center until her retirement at 
the age of 78.
  Virginia's passion for medicine never wavered and she often shared 
her sage expertise with loved ones far beyond her career; however, she 
also possessed many other talents and interests. Sharing a fascination 
of the arts with her husband Lewis, the couple collected many 
paintings, sculptures, and poetry, supported and befriended several 
local Fresno artists, and were instrumental in the founding of the 
Fresno Metropolitan Museum. Virginia was also very influential within 
the River Parkway Trust which established the Lewis S. Eaton Trail 
following his passing in 1992. Virginia served on the Fresno County 
Planning Commission as well where she carried out her commitment to 
improve her community. Appropriately, her efforts and generosity were 
recognized with Fresno State's highest non-degree award, the 
President's Medal of Distinction.
  In addition to these accomplishments, Virginia will be remembered for 
her love of reading, gardening, collecting antiques, raising desert 
tortoises, and attending San Joaquin Valley Town Hall and Fresno 
Philharmonic. She is survived by her three children and their spouses, 
her six grandchildren, her siblings Joan Diehl and Walter Stammer, and 
will be remembered forever by the countless patients and community 
members whose lives she touched.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of 
Virginia Eaton. Mrs. Eaton lived an exceptional life and used her 
talents and passions to make her community a better place. May we 
continue to be inspired by her story.

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