[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 17, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MARGARET S. BENEDIKT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 17, 1997

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to convey the sad message of the 
death of a great American, Margaret S. Benedikt.
  Widowed in the 1950's with a dependent child, Peggy Benedikt 
submersed herself learning all there was to investment and 
construction. Her daughter remembers awaking late at night to find her 
mother reading and was amazed at her mother's extraordinary ability to 
retain what she read. Peggy moved to south Florida in the 1960's and 
established what would become a very successful construction and 
development company. Knowledgeable in all areas of the construction 
business, she felt equally at home donning a hard hat on the building 
site or dressed for presentations in the sales office.
  As her successes grew, Peggy Benedikt was generous with both her time 
and her money in supporting a wide variety of organizations in her 
adopted hometown, Fort Lauderdale, FL. She touched many in the 
community through her efforts with such diverse groups as Kids in 
Distress, the Opera Guild, the Humane Society, the American Cancer 
Association, and the Freedoms Foundation.
  Margaret S. Benedikt loved Republican politics but she stands as a 
symbol for Democrats and Republicans alike. Through her actions, she 
taught all of us that we should stand tight for what we believe in. If 
there are politics in heaven, Peggy is already in the thick of it.
  Margaret S. Benedikt was a great lady and a good friend. Peggy, we 
love you. We'll miss you.

                          ____________________