[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 4 (Thursday, January 27, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E8]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   IN MEMORY OF THE LATE LOIS DEICKE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 27, 2000

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the memory of Lois 
Deicke, a long-time resident of Broward County, Florida, who passed 
away this past New Year's Eve at the age of 82. Lois will undoubtedly 
be remembered as one of the most prominent and generous philanthropists 
in South Florida.
  A native of Houston, Texas, Lois moved to Illinois where she met her 
husband Edwin. Together, they moved to Plantation, Florida, around 1960 
after a successful career as an insurance executive. Their impact was 
felt immediately in the South Florida community, as the Deickes 
exhibited an overwhelming generosity in donating to a variety of civic, 
philanthropic, and humanitarian causes.
  Throughout her time in South Florida, Lois and her husband both 
contributed to nonprofit agencies and projects throughout the 
community, patronizing the arts, cultural programming, and even 
research to benefit the disabled. Lois originally began her charitable 
work by giving to the West Broward Symphony Guild and the Plantation 
Community Church. She also made a substantial contribution to the 
city's community center, now commonly referred to as Deicke Auditorium.
  Indeed, many organizations have benefitted from their relationship to 
Lois Deicke throughout the years. She actively supported the Broward 
Public Library Foundation, the Broward County Cultural Affairs Council, 
Holy Cross Hospital, and Nova Southeastern University, where she built 
the Deicke Dorm at the Ralph Baudhuin Oral School. It is also 
interesting to note that, though Lois was very proud of her residency 
in Plantation, by no means did her charity stop at South Florida's 
borders. She also gave to Midwestern universities and charities, 
founding the Deicke Center for Nursing Education at Elmhurst College in 
Illinois.
  Particularly gratifying is the fact that Lois and her husband both 
showed a strong interest in programs for the deaf and blind. This 
interest was undoubtedly rooted in personal struggles: both she and her 
husband, who passed away in 1984, suffered from hearing loss. Her 
personal experiences led Lois to form a strong bond with the Fort 
Lauderdale Lighthouse for the Blind. In 1994, the Lighthouse formally 
recognized the extraordinary efforts she made in remodeling their 
facilities, another example of Lois Deicke freely giving of herself for 
the betterment of others.
  Mr. Speaker, Lois Deickes life can be characterized by her selfless 
devotion to others and, for that especially, we all owe her a debt a 
gratitude. Though the South Florida community is undoubtedly saddened 
by her passing, we should all rejoice in Lois' accomplishments and 
thank her for her tireless work improving the community around her.

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