[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E362-E363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MS. FIFINE GLAWS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MARY BONO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 4, 2003

  Mrs. BONO. Mr. Speaker, along with my colleagues, Representatives Jan 
Schakowsky and Silvestre Reyes, I would like to take this opportunity 
to honor Cannon elevator operator Ms. Fifine Glaws, who passed away 
over the President's Day weekend.
  Fifine, a native of Boston, followed her family, including three 
siblings, to the Washington area in 1970. She began work at the Capitol 
in March 1983.
  Each day, for close to 20 years, Fifine would make the trip from her 
group home in Rockville, MD to the Hill. However, unlike that of many 
other commuters, Fifine's trek was not an easy one. As her brother, 
Peter Glaws, told the Washington Post (Feb 20, 2003, page B1), Fifine 
``faced adversity every day and conquered it every day . . . She had 
much less to deal with in terms of capacity and had a very simplistic 
approach to life--that if you were expected to do something, you did 
it.''

[[Page E363]]

  Not only did Fifine do her job, she brought a sense of kindness and 
consideration to an establishment more used to divisiveness and self-
importance. Fifine would never let an opportunity to compliment riders 
of fifth floor elevator number five pass by. Her customary ``You look 
nice today'' would raise spirits and brighten moods even in the darkest 
of hours.
  So often, those of us in the Capitol Hill community rush about our 
business and don't take a moment to reflect upon how great this 
institution is. Fifine kept this in mind every day. Her appreciation 
for her job and the U.S. Congress was second to none.
  In an April 21, 1997 interview with the Washington Post, Fifine 
stated: ``I love the congressmen,'' she said. ``They have a lot of work 
to do and don't always have time to talk. I give them time to work, but 
I always talk to them. I love my job.''
  Fifine, we greatly appreciate you for taking the time to talk with us 
and thank you for a job well done. Our prayers and thoughts are with 
you and your family. We will miss you greatly.

                          ____________________