[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 15, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10379-S10380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        DR. MARIAFRANCA MORSELLI

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to the life work of 
Dr. Mariafranca Morselli.
  In 1964, it was our good fortune that Dr. Morselli joined the Maple 
Research team at the University of Vermont. She has been a family 
friend and an informal advisor to me for decades.
  Her research has considerably helped the Maple Syrup Industry to 
improve production methods and the quality and maple products. This 
work has been invaluable to my home state.
  Vermont is the largest producer of maple syrup in the United States. 
There are approximately 2000 sugarmakers in the state and the industry 
provides about 4000 jobs in Vermont. Maple sugaring is critical to 
maintaining the beauty of the working landscape of Vermont, providing 
added income to help family farms stay in business.
  We take great pride in the worldwide acclaim for the quality and 
taste of Vermont maple products.
  Dr. Morselli is a pioneer. She received her doctoral degree in 
Natural Sciences and Botany from the University of Milan, Italy in 
1946, and taught in a college in Milan. After working in both Italy and 
the United States, she settled in Vermont to continue her research.
  In 1983, she was the first woman to received the Outstanding Service 
Award in research by the North American Maple Syrup Council. In 1988, 
she received three awards, each time as the first female recipient: the 
Research Service Award from the International Maple Syrup Institute; 
the Maple Syrup Person of the Year Award from the Vermont Maple 
Industry; and the Maple Syrup Producer of the Year Award from the 
Vermont Maple Sugar

[[Page S10380]]

Makers' Association. In 1991, Dr. Morselli was the first woman to be 
inducted into the American Maple Hall of Fame.
  She also volunteers her time in activities related to improving 
education at all levels for women in math and science. She has been 
appointed to the Governor's Commission on Women and to the Vermont 
Developmental Disabilities Council. In recognition of her commitment to 
the role of women in academia, upon her retirement from the University 
of Vermont, students and colleagues established ``The Mariafranca 
Morselli Leadership Award.'' The award is given yearly to an 
undergraduate woman who has made special contribution as a scholar and 
in advancing equity for women.
  Mariafranca has incredible energy. In fact, in 1985, the Burlington 
Professional Women honored her as one of Vermont's Most Exciting Women.
  She never slows down. Earlier this month, Governor Dean of Vermont 
appointed Dr. Morselli to the state Affirmative Action Council.
  I applaud her tireless efforts to improve the world in which we live. 
I am proud to call Dr. Mariafranca Morselli my friend. I also want to 
mention how much her friendship meant to my late mother, Alba Leahy. My 
mother always enjoyed her conversation with Dr. Morselli. She 
especially enjoyed them because she could use her native tongue, 
Italian.
  I ask unanimous consent that at the conclusion of my remarks an 
article from the Burlington Free Press be included in the Congressional 
Record.
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

            [From the Burlington Free Press, Sept. 7, 1998]

                  Scientist Continues Activist Duties


           Dean appoints retired educator to advisory council

                            (By Susan Green)

       As the sole female on the faculty of the University of 
     Vermont's botany department for almost 25 years, Mariafranca 
     Morselli was determined to give her gender a boost.
       Gov. Howard Dean has appointed the South Burlington 
     resident to the Affirmative Action Council, a 15-member 
     advisory board that examines issues of equal opportunity for 
     minorities in the state.
       ``She's a tremendous asset,'' Dean said of the 75-year old 
     Morselli, who is a native of Italy. ``I recognize her 
     important efforts to advance women in the field of science.''
       The Milan-born educator also advanced Vermont's maples for 
     more than two decades, from 1964 through 1988, as a research 
     professor familiar with the trees and the people who tap 
     them. After she retired from teaching, Morselli continued her 
     involvement with the industry through projects for the North 
     American Maple Syrup Council. In 1991, she became the only 
     woman ever elected to the National Maple Museum Hall of Fame.
       ``When I first started, I felt quite humble,'' she said of 
     her foray into the largely male world of maple production. 
     ``Vermonters did not pay much attention to a scientist who is 
     a woman who came from another country. But I was working for 
     them and got their trust.''
       During an otherwise privileged childhood, Morselli adopted 
     a feminist perspective because her mother was ``a society 
     belle who imparted a stern sense of duty in life and work,'' 
     she said.
       With her husband-to-be, Mario, she came to the United 
     States just after World War II. Although not romantically 
     attached at the time, they both taught at an Illinois 
     college: His field was chemistry, before he turned to writing 
     about military history; hers were zoology and botany.
       The couple moved to Italy and married in 1949. They 
     returned to America eight years later, living in New York and 
     skiing in Stowe.
       The purchase of a Danville farm in 1959 provided the 
     impetus for the Morsellis to make Vermont their full-time 
     home in the early 1960's. They have three grown daughters, 
     including state archaeologist Giovanna Peebles, and four 
     grandchildren.
       Morselli, who is chairwoman of the American Association of 
     University Women's public policy committee and serves as 
     environmental coordinator for the League of Women Voters, is 
     constantly on the go. In her spacious condo near Kennedy 
     Drive, the phone keeps ringing and the fax is always humming.
       ``I have tremendous energy,'' she said, referring to her 
     extensive community service. ``I think it comes from my 
     Yankee/northern Italian stock.''
       The other clue to Morselli's activism might be her sense of 
     free will. ``I always told my students, `You are your 
     destiny,' '' she said.
       Beyond that, ``I love my work. I love my husband. I love my 
     family. Love has been the motif of my life.''

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