[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 199 (Wednesday, December 21, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S9777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     
     
                              TRIBUTE TO BETH PEARCE
     
        Mr. SANDERS. Madam President, I rise today to honor Beth 
     Pearce of Barre, VT. Beth is retiring as Vermont State Treasurer after 
     more than 45 years in public service, including nearly two decades 
     serving Vermonters.
       Beth was born in West Springfield, MA, and grew up in a civically and 
     political engaged household. After serving in a variety of government 
     positions throughout the Northeast, Beth became Vermont's deputy State 
     treasurer in 2003. In 2011, she was appointed Vermont State Treasurer 
     and, despite being new to electoral politics, she was elected in own 
     right in 2012, and was reelected to four additional terms.
       Despite her electoral success, Beth has long considered herself more 
     of a policy person than a politician, something that it evident in her 
     approach in the State treasurer's office. She has taken her role as a 
     public servant seriously and has been a careful steward of public 
     funds. Though this has sometimes put her at the center of challenging 
     issues, Beth's integrity has earned her widespread respect.
       As Beth herself has described, her office's work ``is not just 
     numbers on spreadsheets, but a reflection of [their] commitment of 
     service to, and respect for, everyone in Vermont.'' This approach is 
     just one of the things that sets Beth apart. While she has relished the 
     day-to-day work and embraced being described as ``breathtakingly 
     boring,'' Beth has never lost sight of the immense responsibility of 
     the State treasurer's office to positively impact the lives of everyday 
     Vermonters. Whether by making sure that individuals and towns received 
     the aid they were entitled to following the devastation caused by 
     Tropical Storm Irene, that people with disabilities could save and 
     invest through the VermontABLE program, or that State employees could 
     retire with dignity, Beth has never forgotten that it is people--not 
     numbers--at the center of her work.
       To my mind, Beth represents the best of public service. She will long 
     be remembered by all who worked with her for her competence, empathy, 
     humor, and, of course, her unwavering love of the Boston Red Sox. And 
     to all those Vermonters who would not otherwise know the role of the 
     treasurer's office, she will be remembered for her tireless work toward 
     a Vermont where everyone has the opportunity for a lifetime of 
     financial stability and well-being. Vermont is indeed a better place, 
     and Vermonters are better off, thanks to Beth Pearce. I join Beth's 
     friends, family, and fellow Vermonters in wishing her all the best in 
     her well-deserved retirement. 
     
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