[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 169 (Friday, November 15, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H6016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE LIFE OF A LONGTIME PILLAR OF SOUTHEAST HOUSTON, MARIE 
                               FLICKINGER

  (Mr. BABIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a longtime 
pillar of the southeast Houston community, Marie Flickinger, who passed 
away on November 11, 2024.
  After becoming the first woman elected to the San Jacinto College 
District Board of Trustees in 1995, Marie served as chair from 2007 to 
2013 and again from 2017 until her retirement on November 4, 2024.
  She spent these nearly 30 years devoted to ensuring the institution's 
success, achieving numerous awards along the way. Many have referred to 
Marie as the honorary mayor of the South Belt, due to her involvement 
in practically every aspect of the community, an extensive list that 
includes the founding of the South Belt-Ellington Chamber of Commerce, 
the local newspaper, and Saint Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church as 
well as the organization of countless community events. She was a 
friend, and a friend of mine.
  As a cofounder and publisher of the South Belt-Ellington Leader, 
Marie became known for her work shedding light on the impact of the 
Brio Superfund site in the 1980s, which eventually led to its 
remediation.
  Marie also delved into the political arena, serving on two mayoral 
transition committees for the great city of Houston, Texas.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no doubt that Marie's legacy will be long 
remembered and my prayers are with her family, her San Jacinto College 
family, and the South Belt community during this difficult time.

                          ____________________