[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 5, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING ANNE TRAFICANTE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 2003

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mrs. Anne 
Traficante, a great Floridian, a caring wife and mother, and a noted 
political activist. Mrs. Traficante was no stranger to the political 
arena, and her contributions on behalf of the citizens of Sunrise and 
all of South Florida will not be forgotten.
  Traficante first got involved in local advocacy in the mid-1970s when 
she and her husband first relocated to the South Florida region. A 
dedicated activist, Traficante steadfastly worked to fight for 
important measures that were of great concern to her and her community. 
In a 1992 interview, she said, ``I have to get up and chastise and 
criticize and fight for I what I believe is right. It's something that 
has to be done, and I get up to do it.''
  Many of Mrs. Traficante's efforts focused on aiding her fellow senior 
citizens. She successfully fought for weather shelters at bus stops in 
Sunrise, lobbied the city to create a senior living center, and in the 
wake of Hurricane Andrew's destruction she went so far as to criticize 
city commissioners for allotting $44,806 in the budget for senior 
citizen parties. In addition, Mrs. Traficante volunteered her time and 
resources by opening a distribution center in Sunrise where hurricane 
victims could receive free food, baby supplies, and other items.
  Mr. Speaker, it is indeed an honor to stand here today and remember 
the life of an exemplary citizen of South Florida, one who remained 
devoted to her fellow neighbors and sought a better quality of life for 
her community. Her legacy as an ardent and accomplished political 
activist will last for many years to come. Mrs. Traficante is survived 
by her daughter, Joyce Shepard of Queens, NY, along with 3 
grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

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