[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 126 (Wednesday, September 9, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING PHYLLIS ELLMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 9, 2009

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Phyllis Ellman, who 
died on June 2 at the age of 86. An activist in Marin and Sonoma 
Counties for more than 40 years, Phyllis was a leader who cared deeply 
about her community, its people and the environment.
  The oldest of four children born in 1923 in Des Moines, Iowa, Phyllis 
had deep roots in America as one of her ancestors was the military 
secretary to Gen. George Washington. Phyllis joined the U.S. Army 
during World War II, and after her honorable discharge, she earned a BS 
in biology at Kansas State University. She earned a master's degree in 
biochemistry at Washington State College, where she also met her future 
husband, George. Six months later they married and moved to Pasadena, 
California, where Phyllis taught at Cal Tech while George completed his 
PhD.
  In 1958 the Ellmans moved to Tiburon, Marin County, where Phyllis 
became an avid hiker. She developed a passion for wildflowers and was 
expert in identifying the unique flowers of the Tiburon hills earning 
the moniker, ``Mother Botany.'' A member of the California Native Plant 
Society, she wrote two booklets on the local flora of Ring Mountain.
  Always an activist, she pushed for the creation of the Tiburon Bike 
Path, was appointed to the Tiburon Parks and Recreation Commission in 
1973, helped launch the first South of the Knoll playground in 
Richardson Bay Lineal Park, and with Marilyn Knight, Phyllis 
established the Belvedere Tiburon Child Care Center, the first such 
center on the peninsula.
  It is Ring Mountain for which she is fondly remembered as being the 
catalyst saving it from development. Walkers can now kike to the top of 
Ring Mountain on the Phyllis Ellman Trail which honors her years of 
public service and devotion to her community.
  In 1980 the Ellmans moved to Glen Ellen, Sonoma County, where Phyllis 
was a dedicated docent at the Bouverie Preserve. She also sang with the 
Quercus Quire, a group she helped start who performs for elementary 
school audiences, singing about environmental issues to about 2,000 
children each year.
  Phyllis leaves her husband of 60 years, George Eliman of Glen Ellen, 
who is a former Tiburon mayor and town councilmember. Devoted to her 
family, she also leaves a daughter, brother, two sisters, and seven 
nieces and nephews.
  Madam Speaker, Phyllis Eliman will be missed by so many who shared in 
her work and passions. An activist in the best sense, she was a valued 
member of the Marin and Sonoma communities. Her friendship and bright 
spirit will be missed by all who had the opportunity to know her.

                          ____________________