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“TRIBUTE TO PAT LOOMES” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1255 on June 11, 2007.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO PAT LOOMES
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HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, June 11, 2007
Mr. STARK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Pat Loomes, upon her retirement from Girls Inc. after 30 years of distinguished service to girls in Alameda County, California. This fall, Ms. Loomes will retire from Girls, Inc. leaving an organization that now serves more than 7,000 girls, has more than 90 staff members and a $5 million budget.
While feminists across the country marched to demand equal rights in the workplace, in the classroom, and at home, Pat Loomes realized that improving the quality of women's lives meant empowering them in their most formative years, when they were girls. Although many of her friends disagreed, arguing that advocating for girls weakened the women's movement, she followed her heart. Her commitment to leveling the playing field for girls laid the foundation for Girls Incorporated of Alameda County and contributed to the organization's impressive growth.
Pat Loomes saw Girls, Inc. as a vital opportunity to set girls' lives on the right track and give them the skills needed to lead productive and fulfilling lives. Among her first accomplishments was a grant from the Department of Labor that allowed girls to learn about carpentry, construction and other non-traditional jobs from women already in the industry.
Soon, she realized that girls' programs received far fewer funds from United Way than boys' programs and embarked on a campaign to end the discrimination. She recalls, `` I wrote a letter every week to the president of the board asking to increase funding until I got a response.'' Pat Loomes' campaign led to equitable funding, not only for Girls Inc. of Alameda County, but also for other girls' programs such as Campfire Girls, YWCA and the Girl Scouts.
In 1983, she created a formal program to treat child victims of sexual abuse. When government funds were discontinued for pregnant teens across the country, Girls Inc. moved to fill the gap and provided sex education and life options beyond high school, such as college, work, and travel.
Ms. Loomes achievements and success with the myriad of programs at Girls, Inc. have been recognized by numerous organizations, such as United Way and then, Seaton Manning Outstanding Agency Professional Award for her leadership and advocacy on behalf of girls.
I join the community in thanking Pat Loomes for her outstanding legacy. She has molded and shaped the girls' movement in a profound way that will be felt for generations.
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