[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 175 (Monday, December 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2475]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO SHIRLEY PRUSSIN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 8, 2003

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, Dynamic social activist, tireless volunteer, 
caring mother, innovative supporter, teacher--Shirley Prussin has 
filled many shoes during her time in the Monterey Peninsula. Today, 
however, I rise to recognize Shirley in another role, as a close and 
dear friend. Sadly, after a rich three decades on the Central Coast of 
California, Shirley has decided to move to Florida. I cannot overstate 
her importance in my life. Her departure marks a tremendous loss for 
our community.
  Shirley's life and accomplishments on the Central Coast have helped 
hundreds, if not thousands of people in the area. Shirley has had a 
leadership role in countless organizations that affect the citizenry of 
the Monterey Peninsula profoundly: the ACLU, the Democratic Woman's 
Club, the Reproductive Rights Coalition, the YWCA, Planned Parenthood--
it's impossible to name all the groups that she has lent her leadership 
and support.
  As an advocate for human rights and political activism, Shirley's 
commitment to grass-roots politics is truly an inspiration. Shirley's 
political resume dates back to 1947; while in Southern California, she 
worked for Tome Rees' race for State Assembly. Since then, here 
dedication to social justice and a better world has led her to work on, 
and in many cases lead, numberless community-based organizations.
  Shirley's kindness, compassion and empathy for her fellow community 
members remains unparalleled. It's difficult to express how deeply her 
loss will affect me, but I would like to wish her well with the rest of 
her life's journeys. Somewhere in Florida, there's an extremely lucky 
community that is about to receive an amazing person, and I am sad to 
see her go.

                          ____________________