[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 95 (Wednesday, July 19, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1462]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PAYING TRIBUTE TO REE WENGERT

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                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 19, 2006

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ree Wengert, a 
prominent Las Vegas singer and activist, who passed away on Sunday, 
July 2, 2006, at the age of 78.
  Ree was born on December 14, 1927 in Charleston, WV, and was the 
youngest of an amazing 12 children. Ree chose to complete her 
undergraduate studies at Marymount College in Tarrytown, NY. She was 
soon awarded a full scholarship to the Julliard School of Music.
  In 1952, Ree moved to Las Vegas, NV, and joined the Las Vegas Service 
League, which is now known as the Junior League of Las Vegas. She also 
began performing charity work for the Catholic Church. In the 1980s and 
'90s, she donated her services to Southern Nevada in many ways, 
including singing in charity events and advocating for AIDS victims' 
rights. She often visited and spoke with the most critically ill 
patients in the University Medical Center's AIDS ward.
  Ree was most prominently known as the wonderful wife of Ward Wengert, 
a banker and civic leader in Las Vegas who passed in 1996, and mother 
to Rhetta Storebo, Rene McCown, Ward Jr., and Cyril, who passed in 
1997. She also enjoyed four grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Ree Wengert and her amazing 
family for their contributions to the Southern Nevada community. She 
will be dearly missed.

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