[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 90 (Thursday, July 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO THE LATE RUTH FIRSCHEIN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 12, 2000

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I request that the Congress reflect on the 
memory of Ruth Firschein, of Palo Alto, California, who passed away 
this week.
  Known by her family simply as ``Grandma Ruth,'' Ruth spanned nearly a 
century during her remarkable life.
  Born in a village in Eastern Europe, Ruth immigrated to the United 
States as a young woman. She followed the classic path of many 
immigrants, landing in New York City, working hard to make a living in 
a new country, marrying, raising children, and assisting with the 
operation of a small family printing business, Firschein Press.
  Although circumstances did not permit her to complete more than a 
grade school education, she took her children to the New York City 
Public Library, and taught them that books and knowledge are the key to 
understanding and success. The Firschein apartment was filled with 
books and artwork, radios and science experiments.
  People who met Ruth were impressed by her intelligence, wit, charm, 
and leadership qualities. She served as an officer in a number of 
synagogue and charitable groups, freely giving of her time, and 
expressing her views enthusiastically, without hesitation or 
reservation.
  Ruth witnessed much during her long life. She liked to tell about the 
time cossacks occupied her village and had a saber fight in the kitchen 
of her family's home. One of the swords accidentally struck her. Years 
later, she would point to the small scar and tell of the soldiers' 
remorse. One of them told her he had a little girl just like her at 
home.
  Ruth was a link between the past and the present. She witnessed the 
birth of airplanes, televisions, computers and rockets. She watched as 
new waves of immigrants came to this country, retracing her life and 
her steps. In her later years, she would sit with new Russian 
immigrants, listening to their stories, and trading her own. She was a 
natural storyteller, and we are fortunate that a number of her stories 
have been recorded on tape.
  Ruth leaves behind three children and several grandchildren. They 
remember her legacy of love for the world. She will be missed.

                          ____________________