[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1568]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO ALICE ASHTON

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                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 6, 1998

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize 
and acknowledge Alice E. Ashton on her 80th birthday for 35 years of 
unselfish community service. The mother of seven children and a 
military wife, she nonetheless found the time, energy and commitment to 
assist others. A resident of Redlands, California, she has touched the 
lives of numerous individuals, young and old, through her many acts of 
humanitarian volunteerism.
  Alice Ashton's service is very well known. During the early 1960's, 
Alice volunteered at the Redlands Well-Baby Clinic providing young 
mothers in dealing with the new responsibilities of parenthood. During 
that same period, she provided tutoring in the public housing project 
to elementary and middle school students and was a volunteer reader for 
young children.
  From 1965 to 1975, Alice was a member of the Redlands Human Relations 
Council, an organization whose goal was to improve the quality of life 
for the less fortunate. The passage of the California Unfair Housing 
bill was a result of her tireless efforts. She was also a crisis 
intervention volunteer during this ten-year period, helping individuals 
deal with some of their darkest moments. With limited formal training, 
she brought a level of compassion and empathy to the job that was 
extraordinary, but was no accident; she had suffered a grievous 
personal tragedy of her own. On August 1, 1966, an emotionally 
distraught young man occupied the clock tower in the Commons of the 
University of Texas with a high-powered rifle and began firing 
indiscriminately at the students below. Alice's oldest son was one of 
the first individuals killed. Characteristically, she dealt with her 
grief by helping others.
  From July, 1977 to June, 1978 Alice served as a member of the San 
Bernardino County Grand Jury. In the early 1980's, responding to a 
desire to improve her own education, Alice enrolled in various courses 
at Crafton Community College. Despite a challenging academic schedule, 
she found time between classes to do volunteer work with Family 
Services in the community of Yucaipa, California. She was also a peer 
counselor with Ombudsman for the Aged during this period.
  The 1990's saw her focus return to children's issues as she became an 
active volunteer in the Child Advocacy Division in the Department of 
Public Social Services for San Bernardino County. She was also very 
involved as a volunteer at the County Juvenile Detention Facility. She 
currently runs the canteen at that facility, the proceeds of which are 
used to improve living conditions and provide recreational items for 
the young inmates.
  Alice is also an active advocate for participation in the political 
process, both locally and nationally. She works tirelessly in getting 
out the vote and has served as an official delegate for her party on 
two occasions. Her contributions over the years can be summed up in one 
word: citizen. She embodies everything that word connotes, being 
involved and doing whatever she can to make her community a better 
place to live.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me and our colleagues in recognizing 
the valuable and selfless contributions of Alice Ashton. Her lifetime 
commitment to assisting others is certainly worthy of our respect and 
it is only fitting that the House recognize her today.

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