[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 167 (Wednesday, December 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO ANN FLETCHER CELEBRATING HER 90TH BIRTHDAY

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                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 5, 2001

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Ann Fletcher, who 
is celebrating her 90th birthday on Sunday, October 14, 2001. Truly a 
milestone occasion, 2001 marks 90 years of hard work and is celebration 
for a unique and endearing individual. Happy Birthday!
  A pioneering woman in the fields of engineering and public service, 
Ann Fletcher has set an excellent example of hard work and dedication 
throughout her lifetime. Born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania in 1911, Ms. 
Fletcher was raised and educated in Detroit, attending Cass Technical 
High School until 1929 and the Wayne State University College of 
Engineering from 1942-1944. During school she worked as a patent 
illustrator for Bendix Aviation Corporation Research Laboratories in 
Detroit, continuing on until 1947. From there her career took her to 
the Ford Motor Company patent section and the Shatterproof Glass 
Corporation. Ms. Ann Fletcher became a self-employed technical 
consultant until her retirement in 1980. Her unfailing commitment 
allowed Ms. Fletcher to break through the barrier to women that existed 
in a male-dominated profession.
  Married to Stanley Ostaszewski in 1932, they soon celebrated the 
birth of her son, Carl Ostaszewski, whom she raised while her husband 
was serving in the military and while she attended Wayne State 
University. Widowed in 1948, Ms. Ostaszewski married Mr. Cicero 
Fletcher in 1953. Her commitment to her family is as strong as her 
commitment to public service and the field of engineering.
  Today we can all look up to Ms. Fletcher as a pioneer for working 
women in America and praise her contributions to Southeast Michigan and 
the Polish-American community. A former board member of the Engineering 
Society of Detroit, Ms. Fletcher was given the Distinguished Service 
Award, an award which now bears her name. Other awards throughout her 
notable career include the ``Top Ten Working Women in Detroit'' in 1966 
and the ``Distinguished Pioneer'' of the Society of Women Engineers in 
1994.
  Today Ann Fletcher celebrates 90 years of life on this earth. I ask 
that all my colleagues join me in celebrating Ms. Fletcher's 90th 
birthday and celebrating all of the hard work she has accomplished as a 
woman pioneer and Polish-American.

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