[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9142]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ELIZABETH BARTA WIDEL

  (Mr. NEWHOUSE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize someone who is a 
very familiar voice to readers of The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle 
newspaper, which is located in Okanogan County, in my district, in the 
State of Washington.
  Elizabeth Barta Widel is one of the most senior journalists in the 
Pacific Northwest. For 61 years, she has shared her love of the 
outdoors, her photography, and her passion for all things concerning 
the Okanogan community. Since 1954, Elizabeth has written a column for 
the Chronicle, titled, ``Exploring the Okanogan.'' So far, she has 
written almost 2,900 columns on an array of topics, and she continues 
to add to that number regularly. Through sharing her stories, her down-
to-earth words of wisdom, and her curiosity of the world around her, 
Elizabeth has shown a profound connection with the Okanogan Valley and 
has inspired generations of readers and those who know her.
  Please join me in celebrating the contribution and dedication of this 
remarkable lady, an explorer of things great and small.

                          ____________________