The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“REMEMBERING SHEILA ANN OLSEN” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Senate section on pages S1161 on Feb. 15, 2018.
The Department provides billions in unemployment insurance, which peaked around 2011 though spending had declined before the pandemic. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, claimed the Department funds "ineffective and duplicative services" and overregulates the workplace.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
REMEMBERING SHEILA ANN OLSEN
Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, my colleague Senator Jim Risch joins me today in honoring the extraordinary life of Sheila Ann Olsen, of Idaho Falls, ID, a dear friend and leader.
Sheila cared deeply for others as was clear from her community involvement. She devoted countless hours to assisting fellow Idahoans and bettering our communities. Some of the organizations and efforts she led and served in include the Idaho Commission on Human Rights, the Development Workshop Foundation, the Mayor's Committee on Race Relations, the Mayor's Cultural Awareness and Human Relations Committee, the Idaho Falls ADA Accessibility Commission, the ``Unity in the Community'' Prayer-a-Thon, the Governor's Workforce Development Council, Brigham Young University Alumni Board member, Idaho Department of Labor Employment Security Advisory Council, and the Electoral College. She was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a leader in the local and State Republican Party. Sheila is broadly admired for her giving spirit, and many credit Sheila with her help in advancing them on their career paths.
While she was deeply principled and committed to her religious faith, she worked extensively with and greatly valued working with others of differing faiths and backgrounds. She sought common ground and held high regard for bridging faiths, races, and backgrounds. We echo the descriptions of Sheila esteemed by her family and many friends: joyful, positive, engaged, compassionate, kind, fair, good, patriotic, and well-respected. Her attributes and hard work have received many recognitions including ``National MS Mother of the Year'' by President George H.W. Bush, Brigham Young University's ``Service to Family Award,'' ``Exemplary Citizen'' by the Rotary Club, and many more.
Sheila Olsen will be remembered as someone who set an enduring example of service to others. She was a mother of 10 children and a wife to the late Dennis Olsen. She was a grandmother to 39 grandchildren and great-grandmother to 23 great-grandchildren. She overcame the complications of multiple sclerosis to give extensively. Her legacy of devotion to her family, her religion, and serving will carry on in the many lives positively influenced by this great leader. We express our deep condolences to her family and friends and thank Sheila for her friendship and lasting service.
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