[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 13, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H1174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 REMEMBERING ROBERTA ``BERT'' McCARTHY

  (Mr. FITZPATRICK asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of a very 
special woman from Bakersfield, California, Roberta ``Bert'' McCarthy, 
who recently passed away at the age of 83 years old.
  Bert left this world peacefully on March 3 while surrounded by her 
loving family, including her proud son, Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
  Bert resided in Kern County since she was 6 years old. While 
attending East Bakersfield High School, she fell in love and eventually 
married her high school sweetheart, Owen McCarthy, who passed away in 
2000.
  Outside of being the matriarch to the McCarthy family, Bert devoted 
her energy to many charitable organizations. She concentrated on 
alleviating the financial burdens of families paying for cancer 
treatments. Bert also sponsored Kern County's Anti-Graffiti Program, 
which helped keep her hometown of Bakersfield clean from vandalism and 
preserved the city's historic charm.
  Mr. Speaker, there was no such thing as a stranger to Bert. When 
people entered her life, she forged profound connections and created 
lasting friendships.
  Bert's passing strikes a chord in the hearts of all who understand 
the pain of losing someone close to them, especially a mother. She is 
survived by her three children, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy, her 
four grandchildren, and a great number of other family members who 
carry on her spirit and cherish the loving memories that they had with 
her.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish the McCarthy family nothing but love, friendship, 
and support as they grieve this terrible loss.

                          ____________________