[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 157 (Wednesday, October 11, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S14959]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           RACHEL SCHLESINGER

  Mr. JOHNSTON. Mr. President, sadly we learned yesterday of the death 
of Rachel Mellinger Schlesinger, the wife of Jim Schlesinger and the 
mother of his eight children. On behalf of the Senate, I want to convey 
to Jim our deepest sympathy on the loss of his beloved companion of 
more than 40 years. I also want to say something about Rachel who, 
quietly and without fanfare, did those good works that the Book of 
Proverbs praises. She genuinely did open her hands to the poor and 
reach out her hands to the needy, distributing sandwiches to the 
homeless and testifying before Congress on the problems of the mentally 
ill. Rachel was a gifted, energetic, and compassionate woman, but such 
a private person that few Americans know of her contributions to the 
quality of our community life. I would like to take this opportunity to 
express our appreciation of what she did for us.
  Rachel Line Mellinger was born on a farm in Springfield, OH, and 
always considered herself a country girl. She loved gardening, and in 
the 1980's, she bought a farm in the Shenandoah Valley to raise 
Christmas trees which she delivered personally to satisfied customers 
and delighted children. Thanks to her interest in the preservation of 
historic sites and rural land, Americans will have more of both to 
enjoy in times to come.
  Like Thomas Jefferson, a fellow Virginia farmer, she was a talented 
writer and musician. She played the violin, not only for her own 
pleasure, but to give pleasure to others. She played with the Arlington 
Symphony Orchestra for 12 years and served on its board of directors. 
She was the founder and first chair of the Ballston Pops, a May 
festival which she originally organized 10 years ago.
  She was active in the community both publicly and privately. She 
served as deacon of the Georgetown Presbyterian Church and on the 
overseers committee of the Memorial Church at Harvard, but on Sundays 
she could be found in the Sunday school where she taught classes. She 
was active in the mental health movement, and worked with the National 
Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
  We all know that in public life, public service can be hard on 
families. Jim Schlesinger served in Cabinet positions in three 
administrations. Rachel Schlesinger also served, in strength and 
dignity, preserving the privacy of her children and supporting her 
husband with the warmth of her presence. It is not an exaggeration to 
say that in all the agencies in which her husband served, she was 
universally loved.
  Rachel Mellinger Schlesinger was a wonderful person, wise, kind, and 
thoughtful, who did good and not harm all the days of her life. She 
will be missed.
  Mr. President, I was please to be able to see her 3 days ago and can 
report that in her last days she was cheerful and reassuring to all of 
those around her. She will be greatly missed. I yield the floor.

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