[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 15432-15433] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF RUTH McKENRY ______ HON. JIM COSTA of california in the house of representatives Thursday, July 20, 2006 Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of Ruth McKenry. She was an exemplary woman and a premier advocate for health care and the agriculture industry in the Valley. She passed away on June 2, 2006. Ruth McKenry was a native of New York. She graduated from Bellevue School of Nursing in 1943 and became a U.S. Navy Nurse Corps Lt.j.g. serving from 1944 to 1946. Soon after being honorably discharged in 1946, she moved to California with her husband and worked as a registered nurse in various hospitals in the Central Valley. Having raised four children, Mrs. McKenry was very knowledgable and experienced as a nurse. She worked for the Selma District Hospital Emergency Room, as well as at the Doctor's Hospital in Modesto, California, specializing in orthopedics, cardiology, surgery and as a relief supervisor. Furthermore, having an extensive background and a great understanding of the health care industry, Ruth was a long-time advocate for improving the health care system in the country. She was involved in the politics of the Valley and held several important positions in different organizations. Ruth maintained an encompassing interest in the activities of her community. She served as a Brownie Girl Scout Leader, 4-H Leader, and as a volunteer for a local Well Baby Clinic. Additionally, her involvement in many vital agricultural groups and organizations left a mark on the people of the Valley. After retiring as a registered nurse, Ruth farmed grape vineyards and together with her husband, managed McKenry Farms in Kingsburg, California. Being a farmer herself, Ruth was strongly engrossed in the workings of the agricultural industry. She served as the State and Federal Legislative Chair and the Agricultural Labor Chair for the California Women for Agriculture (CWA). She also served as the Agricultural Labor Chair for the American Agri-Women (AAW) and for the Tulare County Farm Bureau. Additionally, Ruth was involved with Women in Farm Economics and the California Farm Bureau Federation Agricultural Labor Committee. Many of her colleagues, especially in the CWA and AAW attest to her enthusiasm and her driving force in pushing for change in the agricultural labor industry, especially in providing farm workers access to necessary health care programs. Ruth once stated, ``My involvement in agricultural labor has given me [[Page 15433]] an interest in affordable health care for the farm worker and both pre- natal and well baby care for his/her family. I am interested in the nation's rural areas [and] as an employer, access to affordable health care premiums is needed.'' The positions she held on agricultural labor committees gave her the chance to promote the changes that were necessary for the advancement of the agriculture industry. Her hard work was witnessed and admired by her colleagues, and in 1986, after, being nominated by her fellow CWA members, she was awarded the prestigious Leaven Award, the highest award an American Agri-Woman can receive. Her ability to work with and influence those around her, and multiply the effectiveness of the organization was testimony to the character she possessed which made her truly deserving of the Leaven Award. In addition, California State Assemblymember Bruce Bronzan nominated her as the Woman of the Year in 1991 for her outstanding contributions to her community. Ruth McKenry was a prime example of a strong resilient woman. She lived a life of purpose and served as a role model, not just for the youth in the Valley, but for her peers and colleagues. She was devoted to her family and deeply involved in the life of her children and grandchildren. She was honored by those who worked beside her and by those whose lives she was able to change and touch throughout her lifetime. Ruth McKenry's life is a prime example of pure passion and loyalty and of genuine interest in agriculture, one of the most vital sectors of the Central Valley. She had an outstanding life and will always be looked up to by those who knew her. ____________________