[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 135 (Wednesday, September 23, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S9727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO VIVIA MOTSINGER

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a good friend, Vivia 
Motsinger, on the recent celebration of her 90th birthday. A longtime 
resident of Washington, DC, Vivia's 90 years may best be characterized 
by her incredible work ethic, as well as her undying devotion to public 
service.
  Vivia Motsinger was born the daughter of a shipbuilder in Portsmouth, 
VA, on September 20, 1919. Years later, Vivia's father moved the family 
to our Nation's Capital in order to work in the construction of 
government buildings. She went to school at Roosevelt High, where she 
graduated in 1935 at the age of 16. Tragically, 2 years later her 
father died, making teenaged Vivia the only breadwinner in her family. 
Grateful to have the aid of Social Security to supplement her meager 
earning power, Vivia started out her career working hard to assist her 
mother and younger sister.
  Vivia's professional career saw her begin as a clerk at a naval gun 
factory during WWII. Later, she found employment as a stenographer and 
an administrative assistant at the U.S. Department of State. Mrs. 
Motsinger's final position, before she retired, was that of a Foreign 
Service worker. She is very proud of the accomplishments that she has 
made and grateful for her years of service to the Federal Government.
  Vivia has been blessed with a loving family. She married a remarkable 
husband, who worked as an officer for the Central Intelligence Agency, 
and raised a son who is now employed by NASA. She loves her church, the 
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and is proud to have 
become a member some 34 years ago. She has spent her years of 
retirement studying her heritage, a hobby which has driven her to 
become avidly involved with genealogy and research.
  With her optimism and strong work ethic, Vivia represents the spirit 
of America. Despite challenging circumstances, she has achieved great 
things. I congratulate Vivia Motsinger on this her 90th birthday.

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