[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO IYLENE WEISS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 1997

  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, a friend, former neighbor, and unique 
natural force died last month.
  Iylene Weiss probably did more than any other individual to restore 
the largest wetland in Los Angeles County and its neighboring lagoon, 
known as Ballona.
  At her funeral, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter read a 
poem that she composed in two parts as Iylene's health failed. Ruth's 
poem is a special and deserved tribute and I ask unanimous consent to 
insert it in the Record at this point.

         Tribute to Iylene Weiss--by Councilwoman Ruth Galanter

       We cannot let more time go by without acknowledging that 
     Iylene Weiss has pulled a clever trick.
       She made a plan and made it stick that no marina'd grace 
     this shore; no docks, no paving, and, what's more, that birds 
     and worms and clams and such and wetlands plants that you can 
     touch, would fill this water and these banks.
       For this, Iylene, we give you thanks; we toast the docents 
     and the kids, we toast the herons and the squids, we raise 
     our cups not once, but twice, to cheer the work of Iylene 
     Weiss.


                                Farewell

       Peace be with you now, Iylene; the plants are coming nice 
     and green, and all the folks who cheered you on, in realizing 
     you'd be gone, and also moved by love for you, are doing work 
     you used to do.
       At last they've grasped that central theme, that people 
     working as a team, have more successes and more fun, than 
     leaving all the work to one.
       And so, Iylene, it's safe to go; it's safe to trust that 
     those you know, will carry on from where you've been; so 
     peace be with you now, Iylene.

     

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