[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Page 26372]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO JUNE CULP ZEITNER

 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I recognize the life and 
accomplishments of June Culp Zeitner, the ``First Lady of Gems,'' who 
passed away on October 11, 2009.
  June, a longtime South Dakota resident and world-renowned 
mineralogist, contributed greatly to the study and knowledge of 
minerals and fossils through her research and published writings. Her 
written works include 12 books and more than 1,000 scholarly and 
magazine articles on subjects such as natural history, cutting and 
polishing techniques, and collection methods.
  In 1976, June acquired the nickname of the ``First Lady of Gems'' 
during a ceremony honoring the 25th anniversary of the American 
Federation of Mineralogical Societies. Those in attendance that day in 
the White House's Rose Garden to honor and thank June Culp Zeitner 
included First Lady Betty Ford and Mayor of Washington, DC, Walter 
Edward Washington.
  As the founder of the State Stone Program, June encouraged each State 
to select an official stone, mineral, and fossil. It is thanks to 
June's initiative in founding the State Stone Program that South 
Dakota's official gem is the Fairburn Agate, our mineral is Rose 
Quartz, and our fossil is the Triceratops.
  June's activities extended beyond the purely scientific to include 
education and journalism, serving as a teacher and, for 38 years, a 
member of the editorial staff of Lapidary Journal. She also founded the 
National Rockhound and Lapidary Hall of Fame in my hometown of Murdo, 
SD. Her other accomplishments include creating a display collection for 
the Smithsonian Institution and receiving various State and national 
awards.
  The passion and dedication June displayed for mineralogy has done 
much to influence professionals and hobbyists alike. The people of 
South Dakota and our Nation are grateful for the contributions and life 
of June Culp Zeitner.

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