[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 23, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S9272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO ROBERT FISCH AND EUGENE LANSING

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I would like to share with my 
colleagues a remarkable story of generosity and public spiritedness.
  Twenty years ago, in October 1988, I opened an official office in 
Dubuque in order to better serve people in that part of Iowa. Almost 
immediately, two wonderful citizens--Robert Fisch and Eugene Lansing--
came forward to be of service to me and to the staffers in my new 
Dubuque office.
  Both of them were retired Army veterans. Bob, who was 67 at the time, 
was a veteran of World War II. Gene, who was 57, was a veteran of the 
Korean war.
  We eagerly accepted their offers of assistance. But little did we 
know that this initial act of kindness and generosity would extend for 
another two decades.
  Over the years, Bob and Gene have been faithful friends and valued 
helping hands to my Dubuque staff. They have pitched in answering 
phones, taking messages, and helping out with many of the mundane but 
necessary tasks that keep an office running efficiently.
  Bob usually comes into the office twice a week. Gene comes in once a 
week, driving 50 miles round trip from his home in Dyersville.
  They have given their time and energy. But they have given much more: 
their wisdom and experience, their enthusiasm, and their amazing 
generosity of spirit. Bob Fisch and Gene Lansing are outstanding 
examples of the old saying that ``you don't have to be on the public 
payroll to be an outstanding public servant.''
  Bob Fisch, after leaving the Army, worked for 42 years at Dubuque 
Packing Company and 14 years at the 4th Street Elevator. He is involved 
in many civic and volunteer organizations, and he founded an 
organization of community activists called the 11th Street Neighborhood 
Group. He and his beloved wife Marion, who died in 1999, were married 
for half a century. They have five adult children--four daughters and 
one son.
  Gene Lansing and his wife, Marvel, have been married for 36 years. 
They have two sons and one daughter. After the Korean war, Gene worked 
on a tanker on the Great Lakes for 10 years, then went on to work at 
Wickes Lumber and, later, in the Dubuque City Parks Department. He is 
active in his church, Trinity Lutheran. He is also active in American 
Legion Post 136, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars.
  Mr. President, as you can imagine, Bob Fisch and Gene Lansing have 
become dear friends to my Dubuque staff over the years. I have gotten 
to know them, as well, and I have tremendous respect and admiration for 
both of them. That is why I wanted to take this opportunity, here in 
the Senate, to salute these two exceptional Iowans. I want to publicly 
thank them for two decades of selfless service to my staff and me, and 
to the people of Iowa.

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