[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 2 (Monday, January 6, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E3]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





           HONORING THE LEGACY OF THE HONORABLE BETTY DAWSON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 6, 2025

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of the 
Honorable Betty Dawson. Born to Robert and Jane Dawson in Albert Lea, 
Minnesota. Betty lived a full and vibrant life, deeply rooted in the 
land and community that shaped her.
  Raised in Santa Rosa, Betty moved to San Francisco and attended City 
College of San Francisco where she met Robert Haden, who she married in 
1973. After graduating from San Francisco State in 1975, she attended 
Hastings College of Law and graduated in 1978 as second in her class, 
was a member of the Law Review and a recipient of the prestigious Order 
of the Coif.
  She continued to teach legal research and writing at Stanford Law 
School which led to her becoming a research attorney for Joseph Grodin 
at the 1st District Court of Appeal. Shortly after 1980, Betty and 
Robert moved to Merced where they had their two daughters Emily and 
Margaret.
  Both Betty and Robert worked together for Robert's father, Bob Haden, 
at the firm Haden, Dawson & Haden. Betty specialized in criminal law 
which included death penalty appeals, happily raised her children and 
was an active member of the Merced community.
  Following 1990, Betty had decided to pursue the dream of becoming a 
Judge. At first, she was appointed as the Traffic Referee and then 
eventually became a Court Commissioner. Her accomplishments led to her 
being elevated to the Merced County Superior Court and became the 
Presiding Judge by 2002. Leading into 2003, she was appointed as 
Associate Justice of the 5th District of Court of Appeals.
  In 2010, Betty was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and made the 
difficult decision to retire to prevent the risk of not being able to 
perform to her own high standards and preserve her love for the law.
  Betty is survived by her husband of 51 years, Robert, her daughter, 
Emily and Emily's husband Oscar Sandoval, her granddaughter Delilah; as 
well as her daughter Margaret and Margaret's husband, Greg Stalfa and 
granddaughters June and Cecilia. Betty's brother Robert, sister-in-law 
Linda, nephew Joren and Joren's wife Joascha along with their son Swae, 
and all of Adelaide, Australia survive her.
  She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Harriet, Catharine and 
Read. Brothers-in-law Ron and George, their children Sarah, John, 
Anthony, Andrew, George and Robert, and their children Lucas, Eva, 
Kayle, Antone, Gia, Callahan, Finnley and Georgie.

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