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Today, I had the honor of adjourning the California State Senate in memory of Violet Stout.
Violet passed away peacefully on December 27, 2022. She was born January 16, 1934 in the Lassen County jail, raised by her grandparents on a ranch, and helped them at their general store in Termo. Violet graduated from Lassen High School in 1952, then later married Tolbert and raised 8 children in the basement of an apartment building she and her husband owned. Violet regularly attended school board and county supervisor meetings commenting on a variety of community issues – in her unique, colorful way. She decided to harness that creativity in poetry, and would read poems at board meetings. Violet was eventually named the Poet Lariat of Lassen County, and also wrote the invocation (Daily Prayer) that was recited before each meeting. I enjoyed having her at the Board meetings when I was a Supervisor and the conversations we had since. Violet will be missed. May she rest in peace.