[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 14 (Monday, January 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E68]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN TRIBUTE TO MARIE S. NOWAK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. RICHARD A. GEPHARDT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 27, 2003

  Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Marie S. Nowak, a 
woman who devoted her entire life to helping others through her civic 
and community activities. Marie passed away on January 15, 2003, and 
St. Louis will sorely miss her enormous energy and dedication to 
community service.
  For almost 40 years, Marie was an educator and administrator in the 
St. Louis Public Schools, retiring in 1988. She was a past president of 
the St. Louis District of the Missouri State Teachers Association, and 
received their ``Leader of the Year'' award in 1985. Marie was a former 
delegate to the Governor's Conference on Education and a former member 
of the White House Conference on Education.
  Marie's political and charitable interests were broad and deep. She 
was past president of the Metropolitan St. Louis Women's Political 
Caucus and an active member of the League of Women Voters. She served 
on the board of Grace Hill Settlement House and was vice-president of 
the board of Heritage House Corporation. She was also a determined 
advocate for women's rights.
  At the time of her death, Marie's work on behalf of the elderly 
consumed much of her time. She has served as chairwoman of the American 
Association of Retired Persons' state legislative committee, was State 
Coordinator for VOTE, and received the AARP ``Volunteer of the Year'' 
award in 2000. In 2001, Governor Bob Holden appointed her to the 
Missouri Board of Senior Services. In addition, Marie was a member of 
my Senior Advisory Council, meeting regularly with me and speaking 
eloquently on behalf of our senior citizens.
  All of us extend our sympathy to her family, and especially to her 
children, Pauline Richards and James Nowak. Marie Nowak's gracious 
demeanor and generosity of spirit, her dedication to others and her 
good common sense, have left a legacy that St. Louisans will long 
remember.

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