Statement Honoring the Public Service Career of Elizabeth Murguia

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Elizabeth Okerstrom Murguia of Eureka, California on the occasion of her retirement after more than 35 years of extraordinary public service for the people of California's North Coast.

Born and raised in beautiful rural Mendocino County, Liz's parents, Merle and Astrid Okerstrom, instilled in her a deep appreciation for the important things in life: family, community, and civic engagement. From age 10 and on, Liz was raising ``Dollars for Democrats'' and serving in student government, paving the way for a long career in public service.

Early visits to the Bookmobile growing up nurtured Liz's lifelong passion for books and reading. Graduating from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature in 1972, Liz quickly became a committed and dynamic library advocate. She served on the Humboldt County Library Construction Advisory Committee from 1979 through 1995, playing a central role in raising the funds to construct a new Main Library for the Humboldt County Public Library system. In 1991, she was appointed as a California Delegate to the White House Conference on Libraries in Washington, DC. As Co-Founder and President of the Humboldt Library Foundation since 1996, Liz was the recipient of its distinguished Helen Everett Award in 2006 in recognition of 25 years of tireless work on behalf of public libraries. In 2008, Liz was also appointed to serve on the Library of California Board to ensure that all Californians have access to library resources and services for lifelong learning and enrichment.

Following her graduation from college, Liz worked for Zero Population Growth in Washington DC., after which she returned to California and began working for former State Senator and Assemblyman Barry Keene in 1975, where she remained for 18 years.

In 1993, I was honored that Liz joined my State Senate staff as District Representative and then my Congressional staff in 1998, serving as my representative for Humboldt and Del Norte Counties in the United States Congress. Throughout the past 18 years, Liz has proven herself to be an invaluable asset, trusted adviser, and cherished friend. She is a creative and effective problem solver with a breadth of knowledge of public policy and local issues relating to health care, education, community development, and working with Native American Tribes. Liz also has a developed expertise in understanding and solving the North Coast's wide range of natural resource issues, including public land management, timber, salmon restoration, and ocean resources.

Liz is a masterful writer and fundraiser, well known and deeply respected by the community. Her impact has been far-reaching through her service on many boards and committees such as the Open Door Community Health Clinics Board, Keep Eureka Beautiful Board, St. Joseph's Hospital Advocacy Committee, Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee, Aligning Forces 4 Quality Care Leadership Team, and Timber Heritage Museum Advisory Council. She has also previously served on the North Coast Regional Land Trust Advisory Council, Humboldt Child Care Council, Women's Resources for Work Board, and the North Coast Pro-Choice Pac Board. In 1988, Liz was selected as Democrat of the Year by the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee.

Liz is fortunate to be surrounded by a large circle of loving family and lifelong friends. She shared 30 years with the great love of her life, her late husband Sef, with whom she shares four children, Todd, Dana, Adam, and Michael, and nine grandchildren. Liz has a deep appreciation for the arts and music, and is known for her warm and welcoming nature as a hostess of frequent dinner parties, as well as being a passionate gardener, how she spends much of her time.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we acknowledge Elizabeth Okerstrom Murguia for her 35-plus years of dedicated service and extend our best wishes for a well-deserved retirement. She will be greatly missed.