congressional_record: CREC-2026-02-25-pt1-PgE164-3
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| CREC-2026-02-25-pt1-PgE164-3 | 2026-02-25 | 119 | 2 | HONORING BILLIE JO MEDDERS | HOUSE | EXTENSIONS | HONORING | E164 | E164 | [{"name": "Vince Fong", "role": "speaking"}] | 172 Cong. Rec. E164 | Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E164] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HONORING BILLIE JO MEDDERS ______ HON. VINCE FONG of california in the house of representatives Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 95th birthday of Billie Jo Medders and to recognize her lifetime of steadfast service to the Bakersfield community. Born on March 8, 1931, in Indianola, Mississippi, Billie Jo graduated from Indianola High School, where her interest in civic life first took shape. As a senior, she was selected as a delegate to Mississippi Girls' State and was elected lieutenant governor, an experience sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary that foreshadowed a lifetime of engagement in public affairs. She went on to attend Delta State University in Cleveland, where she met her husband, Clarence Medders, and began a lifelong partnership rooted in service. In 1956, Billie Jo and Clarence relocated to Bakersfield, joining the Bakersfield City School District and making our community their permanent home. Together, they raised their daughters, Emily and Pamela, while investing deeply in the civic and educational life of Kern County. Clarence devoted 44 years to education as a teacher, counselor, and principal. Billie Jo also served the district for 13 years as a school secretary. As Billie Jo's family took root in Bakersfield, so too did her public service. She joined Assemblyman Thomas's staff as a part-time aide and, following his election to Congress, continued in his Bakersfield office as a caseworker and eventually director of constituent services. Over the course of 29 years, she assisted countless constituents in navigating complex federal agencies, exemplifying the vital role district offices play in responsive government. I worked directly with Billie Jo for many years as a field representative in the district I now have the honor of representing in Congress. During that time, she demonstrated that constituent services is about serving people with diligence, integrity, and respect. She made clear that every issue--from veterans' benefits to immigration casework to small business assistance--deserved urgency, careful attention, and professionalism. That standard continues to guide how I approach the responsibilities of this office and how I serve California's 20th Congressional District today. In addition to her government service, Billie Jo remained engaged in the broader nonprofit and civic community. Her decades of involvement have strengthened local institutions and reflected her enduring commitment to Bakersfield's families and seniors. In recognition of that commitment, she was recently honored by Family-to-Family Mentoring, a division of Garden Pathways, Inc., with the ``Heart for Bakersfield'' award--an apt description of her life's work. Today, she enjoys time with her seven grandchildren, along with traveling, reading, gathering with friends, and adding to her well-known elephant collection. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Billie Jo Medders for her decades of service and for the example she continues to set in our community. ____________________ |