Floor SpeechNeutral2026-01-15

HONORING THE LIFE OF BETTY REID SOSKIN

TaxesForeign PolicyTradeLabor

Context

On 2026-01-15, Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-8) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE LIFE OF BETTY REID SOSKIN" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered foreign policy, trade policy.

Full Text

HONORING THE LIFE OF BETTY REID SOSKIN

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 11 (Thursday, January 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 11 (Thursday, January 15, 2026)] [House] [Page H910] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE OF BETTY REID SOSKIN (Mr. GARAMENDI asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Betty Reid Soskin, who used all 104 years of her life to the fullest. Betty lived in the East Bay since 1927, when her family moved from New Orleans. As a young woman during World War II, Betty worked as a shipyard clerk for the all-Black auxiliary lodge of the segregated Boilermakers Union. In 1945, she and her husband founded one of the first Black-owned music stores, which remained open until 2019. Over the years, she has worked with many elected officials, State senators, and assembly members. In the early 2000s, she became involved in the plans for opening the Rosie the Riveter WWII/Home Front National Historical Park. This led to her later career as a park ranger, which she began in 2007 at the age of 85. Betty led talks explaining the importance of the park in memorializing the contributions of women and African Americans working in the war industries supporting the U.S. effort at the home front. Betty used her experiences and observations as a Black woman to bring light to the untold stories of African Americans during World War II and underscored the racism experienced by her and countless other women of color. Through Betty's hard work and storytelling, she has touched the lives of thousands of park visitors and millions of Americans. It was just 2 months ago that she and I were together at one of the premier facilities, the Mare Island Dry Docks, where she was able to, once again, call upon all of us. Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and prayers are with Betty's family. From all of us, I thank Betty for her tireless service and dedication to the community. We will deeply miss her. ____________________

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HONORING THE LIFE OF BETTY REID SOSKIN Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 11 (Thursday, January 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 11 (Thursday, January 15, 2026)] [House] [Page H910] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE OF BETTY REID SOSKIN (Mr. GARAMENDI asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Betty Reid Soskin, who used all 104 years of her life to the fullest. Betty lived in the East Bay since 1927, when her family moved from New Orleans. As a young woman during World War II, Betty worked as a shipyard clerk for the all-Black auxiliary lodge of the segregated Boilermakers Union. In 1945, she and her husband founded one of the first Black-owned music stores, which remained open until 2019. Over the years, she has worked with many elected officials, State senators, and assembly members. In the early 2000s, she became involved in the plans for opening the Rosie the Riveter WWII/Home Front National Historical Park. This led to her later career as a park ranger, which she began in 2007 at the age of 85. Betty led talks explaining the importance of the park in memorializing the contributions of women and African Americans working in the war industries supporting the U.S. effort at the home front. Betty used her experiences and observations as a Black woman to bring light to the untold stories of African Americans during World War II and underscored the racism experienced by her and countless other women of color. Through Betty's hard work and storytelling, she has touched the lives of thousands of park visitors and millions of Americans. It was just 2 months ago that she and I were together at one of the premier facilities, the Mare Island Dry Docks, where she was able to, once again, call upon all of us. Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and prayers are with Betty's family. From all of us, I thank Betty for her tireless service and dedication to the community. We will deeply miss her. ____________________