[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 27, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E12-E13]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO LEE WELINSKY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JULIAN C. DIXON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 27, 1998

  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to call to the attention of the 
Congress the accomplishments of Lee Welinsky, a constituent and friend 
whose life and commitment to her family and community has exemplified 
the very best spirit of American citizenship. On Saturday, February 7, 
Lee's many friends and admirers will gather at the Red Lion Hotel in 
Culver City, California to honor her on her 70th birthday. It is a 
pleasure to join them in paying tribute to her.

[[Page E13]]

  Lee has led a rich and remarkable life which began in 1928 when she 
was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to parents who were immigrants from 
Eastern Europe. She spent her childhood in Brooklyn, New York. An 
excellent student, she was valedictorian of her junior high school 
class at P.S. 109.
  In 1943, Lee's parents moved to Los Angeles, where in 1945 she 
graduated from Susan Miller Dorsey High School at the age of 16. It was 
at this time that she explored her interest in flying. It was her 
mother's concern for her safety that persuaded her to quit flying to 
concentrate on her studies at Los Angeles Community College. However, 
when World War II ended she was unable to continue her studies as she 
would have liked because of the many schedule changes required to 
accommodate the returning veterans.
  It was in 1947 that Lee met and fell in love with Jack Welinsky, and 
the following year they were married. Their first child, Howard, was 
born a year later, and their daughter, Sandra followed in 1954. During 
these years she devoted herself to raising a family. Despite those 
demands, she helped Jack with his auto supply business and supported 
Howard and Sandra through college at UCLA.
  In 1976, Lee suffered the loss of her husband Jack and her mother. In 
the wake of that loss, she decided that at age 48, it was time to 
resume her formal education, this time at West Los Angeles College. As 
with every important undertaking, she pursued it with great commitment 
and determination. That commitment and determination enabled her to 
graduate with honors with an Associate of Arts degree in 1981, and in 
1984 she graduated Cum Laude from California State University, Domiguez 
Hills with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. In 1989, at the 
age of 62, Lee graduated from the University of West Los Angeles School 
of Law with a Juris Doctor degree and later passed the bar on her first 
attempt.
  Lee is currently an attorney with the Santa Monica Rent Control 
Agency, where her expertise in landlord-tenant issues has made her a 
vital resource. She has been honored by the Culver City Council for her 
work on the Culver City Rent Control Board. She is also a volunteer 
attorney at the Bet Tzedek legal clinic where she counsels low income 
people with landlord-tenant problems.
  Throughout her busy and active life, Lee has always been involved in 
politics and the debate over public policy. She has served as a member 
of the Culver City Planning Commission, President of the Culver City 
Democratic Club, and President of her union at the City of Santa Monica 
Rent Control Agency. In 1994 she was honored as ``Democrat of the 
Year'' by her Assembly District Democratic Committee. She is currently 
a delegate to the Democratic State Convention, and has been elected to 
serve on the Executive Board of the California Democratic Party.
  In her modest way Lee would insist that her greatest accomplishment 
has been her family. As with all her other important endeavors, she has 
embraced the role of grandmother to Sandra's two children, Jennifer and 
David, with enthusiasm. She continues to be involved in their lives and 
with them she indulges her great love of travel.
  Mr. Speaker, Lee Welinsky is an exceptional individual whose life of 
service to her family and her community stands as an example for us 
all. I know that my colleagues join me in honoring her many 
achievements and contributions and in wishing her a very happy 70th 
birthday.

                          ____________________