[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 83 (Friday, June 23, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN CELEBRATION OF RUTH PASSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 22, 2006

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Ruth Passen as she 
celebrates her 80th birthday. I am proud to pay tribute to her 40 years 
of respected community journalism as the editor and publisher of the 
Potrero View, and recognize her lifetime of community service and 
social activism. Born and raised in San Francisco, she became a 
formidable advocate for social justice, peace, equality, democracy and 
freedom.
  In 1970, with a few dedicated volunteers, Ruth launched the Potrero 
View, which has become San Francisco's longest running community 
newspaper. With her guidance, the Potrero View grew from a neighborhood 
newsletter into an award-winning, respected, and much anticipated 
journal of local news, as well as a significant resource of community 
services. Its investigative style and editorial integrity are well-
known throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
  As a dear friend and right arm to the late, legendary Enola Maxwell, 
Ruth helped build the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, affectionately 
known as the Nabe, into a hub of vital services for the youth, the 
elderly, and the families of Potrero Hill. She was instrumental in 
bringing her beloved jazz and theater to the Nabe and the wider 
community.
  Ruth was actively involved with the Women's International League of 
Peace and Freedom in the peace mobilization of the 1960s and 70s and 
worked in solidarity with the people of El Salvador for justice and 
democracy in the 1980s.
  Ruth and her husband Joe Passen, whose life we celebrated on this 
floor 14 years ago, were relentless champions of the labor movement. 
Together, they fought for working men and women on the San Francisco 
waterfront and in the maritime industry throughout the West Coast. They 
helped San Francisco become the first and foremost trade union town in 
the world. They worked alongside Cesar Chavez in support of 
California's farm workers.
  As Young Democrats they were part of a progressive movement in San 
Francisco that brought Phillip Burton, John Burton, Sala Burton and me 
to this people's House.
  We thank Ruth for her immeasurable contributions to our City. We wish 
her every happiness as she begins a new chapter in her life as Editor 
Emeritus of the Potrero View and grandmother extraordinaire. Finally, 
she will have much deserved time to pursue her many interests, as well 
as spend time with her beloved family--her son Marc, daughter-in-law 
Dianne, and granddaughters Natalie and Teresa. Thank you, Ruth for your 
years of service to our beautiful City of San Francisco.

                          ____________________