[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 9, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         TRIBUTE TO HELEN LEWIS

                                 ______


                          HON. THOMAS W. EWING

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 9, 1995
  Mr. EWING. Mr. Speaker, the State of Illinois is known for many 
things; the mighty rivers which run on its eastern and western borders, 
fertile farmland which produces food that feeds the entire world, 
villages and small towns with an unmatched quality of life, and the 
city of big shoulders, the international center for business and 
industry known as Chicago.
  Illinois is known for all of these things, which makes all of us 
justifiably proud to call Illinois home. But what we are best known for 
is our people.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of Illinois' finest, a 
woman who has carried the banner for our State here in the Nation's 
capital for over 50 years, Helen Lewis.
  Helen, a graduate of Western Academy in her hometown of Macomb, came 
to Washington in 1942 to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 
As he tells it, ``there was a war on,'' and with three brothers in 
military service, she came here to help.
  In 1945, Helen began attending dances sponsored by the Illinois State 
Society. In 1947, Helen recognized that your membership card got you 
into the dances free, and she decided to join. Well, the spark fanned 
the flame, and Helen has been warming the hearts of Washington-based 
Illinoisans for more than half a century.
  In the 1958-59 season of the society, Helen became an officer, and 
proceeded to hold every position the board had to fill, including two 
terms as president. This lead to her being elected president of the 
Conference of State Societies in the 1973-74 season.
  The signature event for the society has always been the inaugural 
ball. Helen's first inaugural party was for the inauguration of 
President Nixon, and she has been a driving force in every event since 
then. Of course, it's not difficult to find people willing to help with 
the glamorous events. It's a little bit tougher to find people willing 
to commit of their time and energy to keep the mailing lists, select 
locations for events and keep the membership informed. For the Illinois 
State Society, we have always turned to Helen Lewis, who has organized 
the meetings, kept us faithful to our bylaws and made sure that 
everything was done with class and made everyone feel welcome.
  Many people live here for many years without giving up what Helen 
has. In fact, Helen says she's gone ``home, to my real home, 
Illinois,'' back to Macomb, where she is settling in, making new 
friends and renewing old acquaintances. She is genuinely missed.
  When the history of Illinois in our capital city is written, the 
names Lincoln, Stevenson, Dirksen and Michel will surely be included. 
But no chronicle will be complete without recognizing the contributions 
of Helen Lewis, who helped make any prairie State transplant feel at 
home. Helen, for all you've done for the thousands of people who have 
been a part of the society, we are eternally thankful. Good luck and 
God bless.


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