[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 5361-5362]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING ELIZABETH OKERSTROM MURGUIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 6, 2011

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Elizabeth Okerstrom Murguia of Eureka, California on the occasion of 
her retirement after more than 35 years of extraordinary public service 
for the people of California's North Coast.
  Born and raised in beautiful rural Mendocino County, Liz's parents, 
Merle and Astrid Okerstrom, instilled in her a deep appreciation for 
the important things in life: family, community, and civic engagement. 
From age 10 and on, Liz was raising ``Dollars for Democrats'' and 
serving in student government, paving the way for a long career in 
public service.
  Early visits to the Bookmobile growing up nurtured Liz's lifelong 
passion for books and reading. Graduating from Sonoma State University 
with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature in 1972, Liz 
quickly became a committed and dynamic library advocate. She served on 
the Humboldt County Library

[[Page 5362]]

Construction Advisory Committee from 1979 through 1995, playing a 
central role in raising the funds to construct a new Main Library for 
the Humboldt County Public Library system. In 1991, she was appointed 
as a California Delegate to the White House Conference on Libraries in 
Washington, DC. As Co-Founder and President of the Humboldt Library 
Foundation since 1996, Liz was the recipient of its distinguished Helen 
Everett Award in 2006 in recognition of 25 years of tireless work on 
behalf of public libraries. In 2008, Liz was also appointed to serve on 
the Library of California Board to ensure that all Californians have 
access to library resources and services for lifelong learning and 
enrichment.
  Following her graduation from college, Liz worked for Zero Population 
Growth in Washington DC., after which she returned to California and 
began working for former State Senator and Assemblyman Barry Keene in 
1975, where she remained for 18 years.
  In 1993, I was honored that Liz joined my State Senate staff as 
District Representative and then my Congressional staff in 1998, 
serving as my representative for Humboldt and Del Norte Counties in the 
United States Congress. Throughout the past 18 years, Liz has proven 
herself to be an invaluable asset, trusted adviser, and cherished 
friend. She is a creative and effective problem solver with a breadth 
of knowledge of public policy and local issues relating to health care, 
education, community development, and working with Native American 
Tribes. Liz also has a developed expertise in understanding and solving 
the North Coast's wide range of natural resource issues, including 
public land management, timber, salmon restoration, and ocean 
resources.
  Liz is a masterful writer and fundraiser, well known and deeply 
respected by the community. Her impact has been far-reaching through 
her service on many boards and committees such as the Open Door 
Community Health Clinics Board, Keep Eureka Beautiful Board, St. 
Joseph's Hospital Advocacy Committee, Humboldt County Democratic 
Central Committee, Aligning Forces 4 Quality Care Leadership Team, and 
Timber Heritage Museum Advisory Council. She has also previously served 
on the North Coast Regional Land Trust Advisory Council, Humboldt Child 
Care Council, Women's Resources For Work Board, and the North Coast 
Pro-Choice Pac Board. In 1988, Liz was selected as Democrat of the Year 
by the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee.
  Liz is fortunate to be surrounded by a large circle of loving family 
and lifelong friends. She shared 30 years with the great love of her 
life, her late husband Sef, with whom she shares four children, Todd, 
Dana, Adam, and Michael, and nine grandchildren. Liz has a deep 
appreciation for the arts and music, and is known for her warm and 
welcoming nature as a hostess of frequent dinner parties, as well as 
being a passionate gardener, how she spends much of her time.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we acknowledge 
Elizabeth Okerstrom Murguia for her 35-plus years of dedicated service 
and extend our best wishes for a well-deserved retirement. She will be 
greatly missed.

                          ____________________