[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 44 (Friday, April 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF ROSE BOUZIANE NADER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 6, 2006

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
distinguished constituent in my district, Rose Bouziane Nader of 
Winsted, Connecticut, whose incredible life has provided inspiration to 
all who have come in contact with her. Rose was a devoted mother, 
teacher and civic advocate, who passed away on January 20, 2006.
  Rose Nader lived just 18 days short of her 100th birthday and led a 
life fulfilled by the inspiration she gave and the nurturing compassion 
she provided. Rose inspired America's foremost consumer advocate, her 
son Ralph Nader, and further inspired the rest of her children who are 
all dedicated to giving back to their community. The following are but 
glittering excerpts from the outpouring of people who spoke from their 
heart about this shining example for humanity.
  ``We have been brought together today by our mother, who was the 
light of our lives, the anchor, the compass and the vision. These are a 
few of her main qualities, qualities that we see in many good people. 
They represent the heights of human beings.''--Ralph Nader.
  ``She was not a person of many words, but her content contained much 
memorable wisdom.''--Claire Nader.
  ``On child-rearing formulas, Mom observed that, `there is no recipe.' 
On supporting each other, it was `operation cooperation.' ''--Laura 
Nader.
  ``She was as fine an expression of the human spirit as I have ever 
met, and I say this from my heart.''--Phil Donahue.
  ``I thought she was a remarkable person who lived a remarkable life, 
going literally from one century to another.
  ``She was strong, loving, hard-working and modest. All of the virtues 
were hers. I used to ponder how much she and her husband had seen in 
their lives for it was a great American story. They had come here in 
the Twenties with little more than their hopes and their capacity for 
hard work, and in just one generation they had seen their own children 
prosper--enriching what was around them and being enriched at the same 
time.
  ``What I will remember is her kindness to our family over the years, 
her sense of obligation to others, and a belief that citizenship 
demanded a daily commitment. And of course her modesty, in the 
midsixties, back when Life Magazine was still powerful, the editors put 
Ralph on the cover. My mother, thrilled by this, immediately called 
Rose to tell her.
  `Yes,' said Mrs. Nader, `that's nice. I must get out and get a copy.' 
We all loved that, the `a copy' reference.'' David Halberstam 
Journalist, Author, Historian.
  It has been my experience that what makes this country great are 
those humble people amongst us who live day to day and perform 
unheralded deeds for their community. Rose was one of those people. Her 
life was a testimony of inspiration, humor and compassion, and the love 
and satisfaction that comes from giving of oneself.
  How blessed her family is to have had such an influence, how 
fortunate the community that her works lives on. Epitomized by her 
world famous son, Ralph, and her daughters, Claire and Laura, who never 
forget their community and their mother's devotion.
  President Kennedy was fond of saying that communities reveal a lot 
about themselves in the memorials they create and the individuals they 
honor. How fitting it is for the family to establish the Rose Nader 
Circle: For the Agitation of the Caring Mind. I know all Americans join 
in saluting Rose Nader. I personally want to be part of the planting of 
roses throughout Winsted. What a fitting tribute to an extraordinary 
lady. I am both humbled by her virtue and honored to place her name in 
the annals of the United States Congress, an institution that could 
learn much from this incredible American.

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