[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 2 (Thursday, January 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E31]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF ETHEL PESIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 6, 2005

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ethel Pesin for her 
years of dedicated public service and commitment to improving the 
community. Ethel Pesin will be honored at her 90th birthday celebration 
in Jersey City, New Jersey.
  Mrs. Pesin's involvement in a variety of civic and community 
endeavors throughout the years has earned her great respect and 
appreciation. Her willingness to volunteer her time helping those in 
need and her genuine concern for the improvement and preservation of 
local landmarks has made a significant impact on Jersey City and the 
surrounding area. Working with the Hudson County Citizens Committee, 
Mrs. Pesin was instrumental in helping to save the Boulevard and the 
Hudson County Courthouse from being demolished. Some of her past 
volunteer efforts include participating in ``Meals on Wheels'' and 
offering piano performances at the Academy House, a center for the 
mentally ill.
  Throughout the years, Mrs. Pesin's greatest passion has been devoted 
to the establishment and conservation of Liberty State Park (LSP). As a 
founding board of trustees member of the Friends of LSP, she has worked 
tirelessly to oppose commercialization and maintain and improve the 
beautification of the urban waterfront. In the past, she served on the 
LSP Public Advisory Commission and is currently a member of the LSP 
Interdisciplinary Planning Committee.
  The daughter of Latvian immigrants, Mrs. Pesin was raised in Jersey 
City. She graduated from Syracuse University in 1935 with a degree in 
music and taught at Snyder Junior High School and Lincoln High School 
before teaching private lessons for seven years. She later served one 
term as president of the Jersey City State College Community Orchestra. 
Many in Jersey City also know Mrs. Pesin from the popular clothing 
store she and her husband, Morris, owned for 28 years. Mrs. Pesin and 
her husband were married for 54 years and she is the proud mother of 
two children, Sam and Judy.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Ethel Pesin for her 
unwavering commitment to improving the natural and historic beauty of 
her city and her dedication to helping those in need throughout the 
community. Mrs. Pesin's warmth, compassion, love for family and 
friends, and enthusiasm for life has touched all who know her.

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