[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 5214-5215]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING BETH THOMASSON

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the life and 
achievements of Beth Thomasson following her passing last month. Beth 
was a dear friend and a tireless advocate of housing and homeownership 
in her position as executive officer at the Home Builders Association 
of West Virginia. Beth's commitment to her work, her community, and her 
family embodied the values that we as West Virginians hold dear.
  A graduate of Texas A&M, Beth was a ``Kelly Girl'' when she started 
at the Home Builders Association in 1978. In just ten years, Beth 
became executive officer and during this time the organization 
experienced a period of exceptional growth. A prodigious advocate

[[Page 5215]]

for her cause, Beth also advanced initiatives of the Home Builder's 
Association at the statehouse on issues relating to business 
development, homeownership, and consumer education. Her strong work 
ethic was recognized numerous times when she received the HBA Eastern 
Panhandle's Appreciation Award, the HBAWV Meritorious Service Award, 
and the HBAWV Presidential Award.
  In addition to her role at the Homebuilders Association, Beth also 
served in various capacities at the West Virginia Business & Industry 
Council, the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the West Virginia 
Housing Policy Framework, and the West Virginia Housing Trust. Above 
all, Beth was a devoted wife and mother of 4 daughters, as well as a 
grandmother of 10.
  Beth was relentless in her dedication to serving her community and 
her State. Those who were lucky enough to have called her their friend 
can attest to this fact. Her ethos is best described in her favorite 
saying:

       You can be a part of the problem or a part of the solution. 
     By doing nothing, you are choosing to be a part of the 
     problem.

  I am proud to honor my friend Beth, and I encourage my colleagues to 
join me in celebrating her memory.

                          ____________________