[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 41 (Monday, March 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF CHRISTINE PIKE

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 26, 2001

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, throughout my military career I have had 
the honor of associating with more than a few gallant men and women who 
served our country in times of conflict abroad. However, heroes and 
patriots may be found here on our home front as well. These are folks 
who quietly live their lives helping others, and who, through their 
leadership, commitment, and most of all their example, support and 
defend our American way of life. Christine Pike will always be a true 
American home-front hero.
  Mrs. Pike, a native of New Britain, Connecticut, lived for many years 
in Wethersfield, Connecticut, where she became active in the League of 
Women Voters. Throughout her life, she loved aviation. She was 
passionate about aviation history, its pioneers, and those who 
courageously defend our country from in the sky. Christine was, in 
fact, an aviation pioneer in her own right. At a time when there were 
few women in the field, she became a pilot. She flew Taylorcraft and J-
3 Cubs in the 1940s and in 1946 she joined the ranks of the Aircraft 
Owners and Pilots Association.
  In 1962, Mrs. Pike moved to Reno, Nevada, where she became a 
successful business leader. She launched her own company, Pike 
Advertising, and counted many of the area's major hotels and casinos 
among her clients. However, her favorite clients were in the field of 
aviation, the Reno Air Races and Bill Stead's Smirnoff Bearcat for whom 
she handled both public relations and advertising.
  Christine moved to San Diego, California, in 1968, and wore many hats 
during her nearly thirty years there. She had a tremendous respect for 
law enforcement officials and spent much of her time pursuing related 
fields. She served as a municipal court clerk. She worked in the field 
of private investigation. Additionally, she was, for many years, a 
welfare fraud investigator for the County of San Diego.
  Also in San Diego, Mrs. Pike worked as a travel consultant with a 
company known as The Travel Center. During this time she put together a 
number of high profile tours, occasionally accompanying her clients to 
make sure there were no bumps in the road. Among her accomplishments in 
this field was a nostalgic tour she organized for the members of 
Consairways, a commercial airline that flew C-87 Liberators and other 
transports in support of the Army during World War Two.
  One day, early in my first bid for a seat in the House of 
Representatives, Mrs. Pike walked into my campaign office. Things were 
never quite the same after that. She had an incredible facility for 
organization and for establishing critical relationships with key 
people in the community. As my volunteer scheduler, she worked 
tirelessly making sure I was always in the right place at the right 
time. For all intents and purposes, Christine halted her business 
activities so that she could devote her attention, full-time, to my 
campaign. She continued in this way throughout my first term in office 
and my second successful campaign in what was at that time the newly 
formed 51st Congressional District. Throughout this time, Christine was 
always ready and willing to take on any task or assignment. Every job, 
no matter how large or small, was handled with consummate 
professionalism and meticulous attention to detail. Her services were 
so valuable that many times she was asked to take a permanent position 
on my staff. But, she would always laugh and tell me that she preferred 
simply being a volunteer.
  In the early 1990s, Mrs. Pike left San Diego and moved to Tennessee. 
There she continued her active support of Republican causes. She 
continued to work as a travel consultant and she began to cultivate her 
long-standing interest in the activities of the Union Army during the 
Civil War. After a few years though, poor health caused her to return 
to Reno. We maintained contact after Christine moved to Reno. Sadly, 
after a long and courageous fight, Mrs. Pike passed away there last 
December.
  Trying to summarize Christine Pike's life in these few sentences 
would be an injustice to her, because she accomplished so much more 
than I have recounted here. She was passionate about honesty and 
justice. She had no time for fabricators and prevaricators, but she was 
sensitive to the needs of those who were lost or less fortunate. Always 
a private person, Christine seldom talked about the many lives she 
touched. During one of her many ``power walks'' in the Point Loma area 
of San Diego, Mrs. Pike befriended a homeless woman, found shelter for 
her, and faithfully brought her food, blankets and clothing on 
holidays. In another instance, Mrs. Pike worked to bolster the career 
of a struggling trumpet player. She tirelessly worked to create 
relationships that would help small businesses in my Congressional 
District. Additionally, she worked quietly and behind the scenes to 
help many of those in law enforcement. For these reasons, and many 
more, I have established the Christine Pike Volunteer of the Year Award 
for campaign volunteers in my District.
  In closing I would simply like to say that Christine Pike was truly 
an American patriot. Mrs. Pike's multitude of friends will truly miss 
her. However, her spirit, her example, and her many selfless acts on 
behalf of others will live on in the memories of all who knew her, and 
now, in the Record of this hallowed hall.

                          ____________________