[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 54 (Monday, April 16, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF MARIKO ``MOLLIE'' SUMIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 16, 2012

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Mariko ``Mollie'' 
Sumida. Mollie passed away on March 5th. Mollie was a great woman and 
personal friend. She played an instrumental role in teaching me cross-
cultural sensitivity. She and her husband, Yukio were also close family 
friends of my mom and dad, the late Janet Haskins Farr and Senator 
Frederick Sharon Farr.
  Mollie and her family moved to the Monterey Peninsula when she was 12 
years old. She attended Monterey High School, where she met her future 
husband, Yukio Sumida.
  During World War II, Mollie was interned in Poston, Arizona while her 
husband served overseas with the highly decorated 442nd Infantry 
Division. Following the war, they returned to Monterey, where their 
daughter Ann and son Ray were born.
  In 1952, Mollie opened the Cypress Garden Nursery, where she worked 
until retiring at the age of 80. During this time she became very 
active in civic as well as business organizations including the 
Monterey History and Art Association, Gateway Center, and the 
California Association of Nurserymen.
  I fondly remember the many things Mollie taught me in life, including 
how to speak a few Japanese words and, most everlastingly, how to be a 
gardener. I will sorely miss her.
  Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House when I recognize the 
contributions of her remarkable life. I would like to extend my deepest 
condolences to her family and friends during their time of grieving.

                          ____________________