[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 26, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING LIA M. JELINGER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 26, 2002

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to submit for the Record an 
essay written by Lia M. Jelinger of my district. Such a kind woman, she 
serves as an example for all of us and it is important to share her 
story. Her message is timeless, though it need be oft repeated:

       It all started in WWII, whilst suffering under the German 
     Occupation. I was a teenager then, and experienced suffering, 
     hate and destruction. I made a vow, as young as I was not to 
     be part of all this evil, but to show love and compassion the 
     rest of my life toward my fellow men.
       It was in 1957 when I immigrated to the United States with 
     5 kids in tow. My first job opportunity was to work as a 
     nurse in pediatrics in a local hospital. After that I 
     proceeded to become a foster mother and took care all 
     together of 25 foster babies. A few years later I worked for 
     Special Olympics, sewing banners, flags, and ribbons at home 
     so I could be there for my family. I received the ``Service 
     to Mankind Award'' and personal awards from Eunice Shriver.
       In 1990 with so many blessings given to me I started 
     working for the VA here in Toledo 3 days a week under a 
     senior program. Lately I found myself with too much idle time 
     on my hands, which could be utilized and decided to volunteer 
     on my off days.
       I am 73 years young now and still going strong. I reckon 
     that there are days of achy cracking bones, but that does not 
     stop me to spread love and compassion I have for my co-
     workers and patients alike being cheerful and to make their 
     day.
       I had always wished to some day meet a WWII veteran and one 
     day the opportunity presented itself. A frail old man entered 
     the office and asked for some help with his hearing aid and 
     made clear he was a WWII veteran. I proceeded to ask him 
     where he was in combat and he told me he was in the 
     Netherlands, fighting in the Battle of Arnhem and in Germany. 
     I was overwhelmed since I came from the Netherlands and asked 
     him permission to hug him and so I did thanking him for his 
     contribution towards our freedom. He then started to cry and 
     told me that nobody ever did that to him.
       I want to honor those who lost their lives and those who 
     are still living. It was a horrible experience that we went 
     through as civilians also, but the good thing about it for me 
     is, that it formed character.
       God bless this great country of ours and may God keep all 
     those courageous men and women then and now safe with his 
     protection and loving care.

     

                          ____________________