[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 24, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H4866-H4867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JANA BOMMERSBACH

  (Mr. STANTON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of a 
legendary Arizona journalist and trailblazer, Jana Bommersbach, who 
passed away on July 17.
  When Jana started at The Arizona Republic in the 1970s, she was one 
of just six female reporters in the newsroom. She worked her way up 
from reporter to editor, first at The Republic and later at the Phoenix 
New Times.
  Because of her dogged reporting, the Arizona Press Club named her 
Arizona Journalist of the Year and honored her with its top 
investigative journalism prize, the Don Bolles Award, many times.
  One of those award-winning stories turned into her hit book, ``The 
Trunk Murderess,'' which revisited the story of Winnie Ruth Judd and a 
more than 60-year-old murder case. Jana earned the trust of the elderly 
Judd, getting her to tell her side of the story for the very first 
time.
  That was Jana, reporting on true crime before it was trendy, but also 
telling the story of Phoenix as a young frontier town, full of colorful 
and complicated characters. Her life's work brought attention to 
matters close to her heart, like mental health and domestic violence, 
and she paired vigorous journalism with selfless advocacy, giving her 
time to countless nonprofits.
  More than anything, she was a joy to be around, a quick-witted, 
gifted storyteller who would leave any room cracking up. She kept 
friends from all backgrounds and political parties, throwing jabs with 
a grin and a twinkle in her eye. Congress should take a lesson from 
her.
  My prayers are with her family, her friends, especially Bob Boze 
Bell, and

[[Page H4867]]

all those who were moved by her writing and who laughed with her. 
Godspeed to Jana.

                          ____________________