[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 11 (Thursday, January 15, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H910]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF BETTY REID SOSKIN

  (Mr. GARAMENDI asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Betty 
Reid Soskin, who used all 104 years of her life to the fullest.
  Betty lived in the East Bay since 1927, when her family moved from 
New Orleans. As a young woman during World War II, Betty worked as a 
shipyard clerk for the all-Black auxiliary lodge of the segregated 
Boilermakers Union.
  In 1945, she and her husband founded one of the first Black-owned 
music stores, which remained open until 2019.
  Over the years, she has worked with many elected officials, State 
senators, and assembly members.
  In the early 2000s, she became involved in the plans for opening the 
Rosie the Riveter WWII/Home Front National Historical Park. This led to 
her later career as a park ranger, which she began in 2007 at the age 
of 85.
  Betty led talks explaining the importance of the park in 
memorializing the contributions of women and African Americans working 
in the war industries supporting the U.S. effort at the home front.
  Betty used her experiences and observations as a Black woman to bring 
light to the untold stories of African Americans during World War II 
and underscored the racism experienced by her and countless other women 
of color.
  Through Betty's hard work and storytelling, she has touched the lives 
of thousands of park visitors and millions of Americans. It was just 2 
months ago that she and I were together at one of the premier 
facilities, the Mare Island Dry Docks, where she was able to, once 
again, call upon all of us.
  Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and prayers are with Betty's family. From 
all of us, I thank Betty for her tireless service and dedication to the 
community. We will deeply miss her.

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