[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 125 (Thursday, September 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING SELMA FISCH

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 2003

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a very dear 
friend of mine, Selma Fisch, who despite being born in August 
celebrates her 70th birthday on September 13 because she was 
characteristically too busy last month.
  Mrs. Fisch was born Selma Schenker on August 11, 1933, in Brooklyn, 
New York. At sixteen years old, she and her family moved to California 
and settled in Boyle Heights, an area that my family is very familiar 
with.
  Soon after graduating from Roosevelt High School, she met and married 
her husband of 51 years, Len Fisch.
  Selma and Len have three children--Laura Anne, William Daryl, and 
Lisa Kennedy. Over the years her family has grown and prospered and she 
is now the proud grandmother of six granddaughters and four grandsons.
  In 1972, she and her husband Len started a wholesale clothing 
company, The Clothing Game, on Santee Street in Los Angeles.
  A few years later, they bought and developed their first property on 
nearby Maple Avenue. Originally built to house The Clothing Game, the 
property was instead redeveloped into six individual clothing stores. 
The ownership of this building began their successful career as full 
time property managers. Their foresight and influence helped produce 
the now nationally famous ``Fashion Alley'', spanning Maple Avenue and 
Santee Street.
  Throughout the 80's and 90's, Selma and Len continued to buy and 
develop prime properties throughout the Los Angeles Garment District.
  During these years the area experienced such a boom that local 
officials and the Los Angeles Police Department struggled to provide 
adequate services. In response to the area's growing needs, Selma, in 
conjunction with other property owners, formed the Santee-Maple Alley 
Association to provide additional maintenance and safety officers 
throughout the Alley area.
  In 1991, working closely with my former State Assembly office and the 
office of the 9th Council District, Selma was instrumental in obtaining 
a pedestrian crosswalk for a very busy area of the Alley.
  Over the years, she has continued to work to ensure that the area 
remains attractive to consumers by resurfacing the alley hardscape, 
replacing area storm drains, adding attractive alley banners, and 
increasing the number of maintenance workers and security officers.
  Selma has been a member of various women's political groups, such as 
AIPAC and WINPAC, which serves to better the United States' 
international relationship with Israel, and is currently a member of 
the Republican Jewish Coalition.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my greatest pleasure to honor Selma Fisch for her 
years of service to our community, and to wish her a very happy 70th 
birthday.

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