[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 56 (Tuesday, April 20, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E596]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF BERTEL WACHTER HERZ

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                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 2010

  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mrs. 
Bertel Wachter Herz, an extraordinary woman who overcame war and the 
death of loved ones to become a successful entrepreneur in Memphis, 
Tennessee. She was born to Pepi and Bernhard Wachter on January 4, 1907 
in Stolberg, Germany.
  Bertel Wachter Herz was the eldest of seven children, and the first 
to emigrate to the United States. Mrs. Herz first arrived in New York 
in April of 1939, and subsequently moved to Memphis with her husband, 
Arthur Sauerbrunn, at the request of Arthur's cousin, Phillip Belz. 
After settling in Memphis, Bertel worked to bring four of her siblings 
to the United States, providing refuge from the destruction of World 
War II and, thus, preventing the tragic fate that had already taken her 
parents and eldest brother.
  Mrs. Herz, being accustomed to the working realm, found life for 
women in 1940's America unsatisfying. Realizing she had a natural 
talent for retail, Bertel opened a shop on Union Avenue called 
Trousseau, a shop that still continues to provide sophisticated, 
European-style lingerie and linens. Her elegant pieces appealed to many 
brides, mothers and families, which furthered Bertel's reputation for 
her exquisite taste and distinguished vision. Devoted employees and 
loyal customers alike always had nothing but the best to say about Mrs. 
Herz, who worked tirelessly until her retirement at age 95.
  Bertel Herz was known as a woman who lived by a code of integrity, 
loyalty and love for her family. Her persistence and indomitable spirit 
served as an inspiration to her daughter and granddaughters to be 
strong, independent, assertive women. Even today, the third generation 
of women in her family continues to manage Trousseau, which will be 
celebrating its 61st anniversary this year.
  On March 14, 2010, Mrs. Herz passed away at 103 years of age. She is 
survived by her daughter, Eden, two granddaughters, Amy Friedman and 
Pesha Izenberg, and her sister, Regina Farber. Mrs. Herz will be 
remembered by her fellow Memphians for her hard work, dedication and 
service to Memphis.

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