[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 65 (Friday, May 10, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING SARITA SPIWAK, WIZO WOMAN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______


                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 10, 1996

  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Sarita 
Spiwak, a special woman who has dedicated herself to many humanitarian 
causes, most notably to the work of the Women's International Zionist 
Organization [WIZO]. This organization, founded in 1920, sets out to 
promote the welfare of women, children, the elderly, and immigrants, 
with the belief that this will strengthen and improve the quality of 
life for everyone in the State of Israel.
  For her many years of hard work and commitment to the ideals of the 
WIZO, this Saturday, May 11, 1996, the organization will show its 
appreciation to Sarita by honoring her as its ``Woman of the Year.''
  Sarita was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia. She married Dr. Jose 
Spiwak in 1967. In 1969, she and Jose moved to Israel with their 
newborn daughter, Daniela, fulfilling their Zionist dream. While in 
Israel, they studied and worked and also enjoyed the arrival of their 
second daughter, Yael, in 1971. Following Yael's birth, the Spiwaks 
moved back to Colombia. One year later, in 1972, the family moved to 
the United States. In 1976, their son, Allan, was born. Two years 
later, in 1978, Sarita, Jose, and their three children settled in Los 
Angeles.
  In 1987, Sarita was asked, along with 10 other women, to begin a WIZO 
chapter in Los Angeles. For nearly a decade, Sarita's work with WIZO 
has led her to dedicate her time and resources to various other 
projects that support women, children and the elderly in Israel and 
throughout the world. She is a tireless advocate of efforts to 
preserving the State of Israel and an integral and prominent member of 
California's Jewish community.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with pride that I ask my colleagues to join with 
me in saluting this champion of human rights, Sarita Spiwak, for her 
commitment to the welfare of the less fortunate. I ask my colleague to 
congratulate her on being honored as the ``Woman of the Year'' by the 
Women's International Zionist Organization.

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