[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 175 (Tuesday, October 24, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        REMEMBERING COOKIE BIBLE

 Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the 
life and legacy of Cookie Bible, an extraordinary Nevadan who touched 
the lives of countless women and families in her adopted State. She 
passed peacefully in Reno, NV, on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the age of 
77.
  LaVerne Jo ``Cookie'' McManus was born in San Francisco; on July 30, 
1945, and grew up under her grandmother's care to become widely known 
as a strong advocate for women's health. Cookie was a fourth-generation 
San Franciscan; however, she was proud to be a ``true blue'' Nevadan. 
She fell in love with the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe where she met and 
married into the family of U.S. Senator Alan Bible and was a resident 
of Zephyr Cove ever since. Her neighbors affectionately called her 
``Mayor of the Cove.''
  Following graduation from Orvis School of Nursing at the University 
of Nevada, Reno, with a bachelor of science in nursing in 1971, Cookie 
became a certified Nurses Association of The American College of 
Obstetricians and Gynecologists Nurse Practitioner in OB/GYN in 1980. 
She rose to State and national prominence, serving on the Nevada Board 
of Nursing, as well as the National Council of State Boards of Nursing 
in leadership positions.
  In 2003, she received the Exceptional Leadership Award from the 
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, where she chaired the 
nurse practice, education, and regulatory and nominating committees.
  Cookie was the lead nurse practitioner with Planned Parenthood Mar 
Monte region for nearly 20 years. She served as an adjunct faculty 
member for Orvis School of Nursing and held contracts with both the 
State of Nevada and Washoe County Health Department. She was in private 
women's healthcare practice from 2004-2017. She was also a founding 
member of Douglas County Council for Abused Women and the Nevada 
Women's Fund.
  In addition, Cookie dedicated much of her life to Girl Scouts--12 
years as a girl and 56 years as a Girl Scout adult. She was a past 
president of the Sierra Nevada region of Girl Scouts of America. She 
continued to buy cartons of Girl Scout cookies to share with charities 
and dinner guests.
  Seeing patients from ages 14 to 80-plus years old was her 
professional passion, in addition to teaching and training at the 
University of Nevada, Reno, and Truckee Meadows Community College and 
lecturing before various groups. With a second home in Boulder City, 
Cookie was a dedicated women's care provider for Volunteers in Medicine 
in southern Nevada.
  Cookie was a member of St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church 
for more than 30 years, serving in leadership positions, as well as 
greeting guests and parishioners in the historic lakeside church on the 
grounds of Camp Galilee at Glenbrook, Lake Tahoe.
  A world traveler, Cookie enjoyed great adventures from China to Italy 
to the Galapagos Islands. But she loved Nevada best. She was happiest 
hiking on trails in the Sierra Nevada Mountains with her dog Zephyr, 
spending time on the beach, and gathering her family and friends for 
barbecues in her backyard.
  At every opportunity, Cookie demonstrated her strong commitment to 
the women of Nevada. I know that her work, advocacy, and dedication to 
women's health will not be forgotten. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
remembering Cookie for her significant impact in Nevada. I celebrate 
Cookie's legacy, and I extend my deepest condolences to her family and 
friends.

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