[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13521]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


             HONORING JOAN MURPHY, LONG-TIME PUBLIC SERVANT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2016

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Joan Murphy, a 
public servant for more than 4 decades, who passed away on September 
18, 2016 at the age of 79. She had been fighting breast cancer since 
2012 while bravely continuing to serve as a Commissioner on the Cook 
County Board. During her long service, she was known as a champion for 
working families and an advocate for greater involvement for women in 
government.
  Born in South Boston, Commissioner Murphy graduated from 
Massachusetts State Teacher's College. Early in her career she was a 
flight attendant for United Airlines as well as a real estate broker. 
She began her long career in public service when she was elected 
Crestwood's Village Clerk in 1965. She was the first woman elected to 
that office, and became the first woman elected to be Worth Township 
Clerk in 1977, a position she held for two terms. She would go on to 
serve as the Worth Township Supervisor. In 2002 she was elected to 
represent the 6th District on the Cook County Board of Commissioners 
and served as the Chairperson for the Labor Committee and the Asset 
Management Committee.
  Commissioner Murphy is survived by her daughter Tricia, her sons, Tim 
and Tony, and five grandchildren. Her husband Donald passed away from 
leukemia after 43 years of marriage. She lost her son Donald, Jr. a 
decade ago.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Commissioner 
Joan Murphy, a truly committed public servant. Her long career in 
government demonstrated her connection to her community and her passion 
for improving the lives of those she worked for. She will be greatly 
missed.

                          ____________________