[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              REGARDING THE CITIZENSHIP OF MARY BOISVENUE

  Mr. COATS. Mr. President, I rise today to both recognize and honor 
Mary Boisvenue, a proud new American from my home State of Indiana who 
understands that it is never to late to do something as important as 
becoming a citizen of the United States of America.
  Mary's parents arrived at Ellis Island in 1924, from Riese, Italy, a 
town 20 miles south of Venice. They then moved to Windsor Ontario, 
Canada, where they settled down to raise a family. Mary was born in 
June of 1929.
  Mary's mother died shortly after she was born; her father died in 
1934. Raised by her oldest brother, and four other brothers and 
sisters, she quickly learned that she would have to work hard. Like 
other immigrant families they were poor, but unlike the others, this 
family without parents had to survive on their own.
  In the fifties, Mary moved to America with her new husband, Rudy, and 
for almost a decade she helped him through college, and struggled to 
raise a family and make ends meet.
  Finally, after a lifetime of hard work, a family of five children and 
eight grandchildren, Mary decided to do something for herself.
  Last month, she passed the test given by the Immigration and 
Naturalization Service to people applying for citizenship.
  Later this month she, and other new Americans, will be sworn in as 
citizens of the United States in a ceremony in Indianapolis.
  Mr. President, this ceremony is important--for Mary Boisvenue, and 
for us.
  It is important because it reminds us that the spirit of opportunity 
and freedom continues to survive.
  It is important because it reminds us of the contributions of 
millions of immigrants, from all over the globe, who have chosen to 
make this land their own.
  And, Mr. President, it reminds us that it is people like Mary 
Boisvenue who have made our country great.
  Mr. President, I join my fellow Americans and Hoosiers in 
congratulating Mary Boisvenue on a job well done.
  I am particularly honored to commend her as I have had the 
opportunity to observe first hand the kind of character she has 
instilled in her family. Her son, Mike, has been an invaluable member 
of my staff, serving the U.S. Senate with talent, hard work, integrity, 
and good cheer.
  We are proud of all she has done for herself, for her family, and for 
our country. And proud that she may now enjoy all the rights and 
privileges America has to offer.

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