[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4452-S4453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 BIRTHDAY OF KATHERINE ``KITTY'' WILKA

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, ``Mother's Day''--that special day when 
children the world over celebrate and honor their mothers--falls during 
the month of May. Appropriately, the month of May is also the month 
when one of the most selfless and dedicated mothers I know celebrates 
her birthday. Today, I would like to share the story of that remarkable 
woman from my home state of South Dakota.
  I have known and admired Katherine ``Kitty'' Wilka for more than two 
decades. Today, as she celebrates her 70th birthday, she will be 
surrounded by numerous family members and friends. Kitty Wilka is the 
mother of 12, the grandmother of 29 and, as of last week, the great-
grandmother of 3. But it is not just the size of the Wilka family that 
is noteworthy. It is also the quality of their character and the 
diversity of their accomplishments.
  Kitty Wilka and her late husband, Bill, led by example and instilled 
admirable values in all their children. Widowed for over a decade, 
Kitty is the

[[Page S4453]]

heart and soul of her extended family. She is a role model for her 
children and grandchildren. Her life example epitomizes both the love 
of family and commitment to community.
  Kitty has raised public servants, community and church leaders and 
business owners. After working for 18 years at McKennan Hospital in 
Sioux Falls, she continues to contribute to her community, volunteering 
at St. Lambert's Catholic Church and its school.
  I must confess that I have personally benefitted from the Wilka 
family's belief in public service. Kitty's son, Jeff, has volunteered 
in my Sioux Falls office since my first election to the U.S. House of 
Representatives in 1978.
  Born with cerebral palsy, Jeff grew up with a positive attitude and a 
determination to be involved in his community. He has been a loyal, 
dedicated and valued member of my Sioux Falls staff for over two 
decades. In fact, Jeff has become a fixture of sorts, having the second 
longest running tenure on my staff.
  With the help of his loving mother and close-knit family, Jeff has 
overcome many obstacles in his life, including physical ailments that 
required surgery and therapy, and a dependency on alcohol. He has been 
sober for 11 years and is an ardent worker on behalf of many civic 
causes, including the Children's Care Hospital and School, the March of 
Dimes and Easter Seals. He also has a deeply held faith in our 
electoral process, working in the political trenches for many years for 
a variety of local, state and federal candidates in whose philosophy he 
believes.
  I am proud of what Jeff has accomplished and the significant 
challenges he has overcome. I think he would be the first to tell you 
that his successes have been based upon the solid Midwestern values 
that Kitty and Bill Wilka instilled in him and his siblings. They 
taught their children to work hard, to never give up and to do their 
part to improve the communities in which they live. It is clear that 
Jeff has taken those lessons to heart.
  Kitty Wilka has much to be proud of in her life. And I know that her 
loving family is extremely proud of her. I want to join her 12 
children, 29 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren in wishing Kitty 
the very best on her birthday. She deserves it.
  Happy 70th birthday, Kitty!

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