[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 22]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 30677-30678]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO SENATOR PAULA HAWKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN L. MICA

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 8, 2009

  Mr. MICA. Madam Speaker, it is with sadness that I report to the 
House of Representatives the passing of former United States Senator 
Paula Hawkins. Florida's former State Public Service Commissioner and 
U.S. Senator died Friday, December 4 in Orlando, Florida. With Paula 
Hawkins' passing, we have lost a remarkable public servant and 
trailblazer for women and all Americans in the state and national 
political landscape.
  A resident of Winter Park, Florida, who began her public career in 
nearby Maitland, Florida, was born Paula Fickes in Salt Lake City, 
Utah, on January 24, 1927. She received her education from the public 
school systems in Salt Lake City and Richmond, Utah, as well as, 
Atlanta, Georgia, attending Utah State University from 1944-1947.
  In 1972, she became the first woman in Florida elected statewide with 
her winning a seat on the Public Service Commission. With her election 
and work to reform Florida's State Utility Commission, she gained the 
name as the battling ``Maitland Housewife.'' In 1980, she became the 
first woman elected to the

[[Page 30678]]

United States Senate without being proceeded in office by a husband or 
family member.
  In the United States Senate, she authored the Missing Children's Act 
in 1982. During her 6-year term, she championed children's and women's 
issues and created a public dialogue on the subject of missing, 
exploited and abused children. ``Senator Paula Hawkins was tireless, 
tenacious and an incredible champion for America's children,'' said 
Ernie Allen, President of the National Center for Missing & Exploited 
Children. ``We will cherish her memory and miss her very much.''
  Senator Hawkins was also responsible for the passage of Radio Marti 
legislation and a number of measures assisting women in the workforce. 
She Chaired the Investigation and Oversight Subcommittee of the Senate 
Labor and Human Resources Committee. In addition, the Senator served as 
Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Children, Family, Youth and Drugs 
and was responsible for establishing the U.S. Senate Child Care Center.
  Mrs. Hawkins was instrumental in building the Republican Party, both 
at the state and national level. She began her GOP work at the local 
level, served as National Republican Committeewoman from Florida and 
co-chaired the 1984 Republican Convention Platform Committee. Senator 
Hawkins was also state co-chair in Florida for several successful 
Republican Presidential campaigns.
  Senator Hawkins received numerous awards and was honored by selection 
to Florida's Outstanding Women's Hall of Fame.
  Prior to election to the U.S. Senate she served as a vice president 
of Air Florida 1979-1980; director, Rural Telephone Bank board 1972-
1978; member President's Commission on White House fellowships 1975; 
served on Federal Energy Administration Consumer Affairs/Special Impact 
Advisory Committee 1974-1976; and served for 7 years as a 
representative for the United States on the Organization of American 
States Inter-American Drug Abuse Commission.
  Senator Hawkins is survived by her husband Gene Hawkins of Winter 
Park, Florida and three children, Genean McKinnon of Winter Park and 
Montreal, Kevin Hawkins of Denver, Colorado and Kelly McCoy of Orlando, 
Florida, as well as, 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

                          ____________________