[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10718]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF BETTY ROBERTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 8, 2011

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, Oregonians are mourning the passing of a 
pioneering female leader of truly historic dimension. Betty Roberts was 
a pioneer in every sense of the word.
  There have been women in our community who as the first Oregon female 
Member of Congress or first Portland Mayor over half a century ago were 
pioneers--but Betty was unique.
  Yes, Betty Roberts was the first woman to serve on Oregon's Court of 
Appeals and State Supreme Court. Her most important contributions began 
when she was the only woman in the State Senate. In this unique 
position of leadership she willfully tackled the problems that face 
women in politics and society. She understood the challenges facing 
women who were pioneering these efforts. As she broke barrier after 
barrier she learned lessons the hard way. With grit and legislative 
leadership she fought to protect women's health and civil liberties and 
their efforts in the marketplace.
  Betty ran amazingly strong statewide campaigns for Governor and U.S. 
Senate. While she didn't win the elections, she proved her strength, 
character, and vision. Her many accomplishments in politics, and a 
career as a successful educator, lawyer, legislator, and jurist stood 
out, but it was her strong will and sensitivity that made her an 
inspirational role model.
  Betty demonstrated what was possible. Today there are hundreds of 
people that she inspired who have assumed leadership on the bench, at 
the bar, in government and through civic and business leadership. In 
turn, these women are inspiring the next generation which may be 
Betty's most enduring legacy--a legacy that will benefit our state for 
generations to come.

                          ____________________