[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4270]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO COMMISSIONER DIANE AHRENS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 10, 2002

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I submit to the Record my tribute to an 
outstanding public servant, an advocate for the most vulnerable in our 
society, a fearless reformer who rooted out cronyism in our county 
government, and a role model to the young women in the Fourth 
Congressional District--the late Commissioner Diane Ahrens.
  Commissioner Ahrens served 20 years on the Ramsey County Board. 
Elected in 1974, she was the third woman ever to serve as a Ramsey 
County Commissioner. Ahrens was known as the conscience of the County 
Board for her commitment to assisting those in need. She worked to 
deliver services to the mentally ill, victims of abuse or neglect, the 
disabled, the influx of Hmong immigrants in Ramsey County, those with 
HIV/AIDS, and many others in need. She was a passionate advocate for 
human services.
  As Marilyn Krueger, a former St. Louis County Commissioner said, 
``She was always concerned with the welfare of others, a social worker 
at heart, she was fierce, unafraid and compassionate.''
  In addition, Ahrens was an advocate of reform; she was not afraid to 
change a county employment system that allowed board members to award 
contracts and employment to their unqualified personal friends. She 
helped initiate a study that brought about the hiring of a professional 
staff to manage Ramsey County administration.
  Former Ramsey County Manager Terry Schutten said this about Ahrens in 
a letter to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, ``. . . I have worked with 
myriad State and local elected officials. Diane stands out as one of 
those elected representatives who exemplifies what democracy is all 
about, as well as the principles we fight for in our country's war on 
terrorism.''
  Mr. Speaker, having personally worked with Commissioner Ahrens, I can 
attest to the legacy of honest and passionate work she left for the 
young women and men who will follow in her footsteps of public service. 
I know she will be remembered for her generosity of spirit and her 
trail-blazing initiative. The residents of Ramsey County and the Fourth 
Congressional District owe her a debt of gratitude for her service on 
our behalf.

                          ____________________