[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 60 (Wednesday, April 25, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING BIRUTA STAKLE McSHANE

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2012

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor the 
life of a beloved mother and wife, Biruta Stakle McShane. She was born 
Biruta Isolda Stakle in Riga, Latvia April 21, 1940, and passed away 
surrounded by her family on April 14, 2012, in Cupertino, California.
  Biruta immigrated to Oklahoma following the close of World War II 
after living for some time in Germany. Raised in Stillwater, she 
attended Oklahoma State University, where she graduated with honors in 
Mathematics. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Dallas, Texas, where she 
met and married Thomas McShane.
  Biruta and Tom moved to Burlingame, California and started a family. 
During her career, Biruta worked in various marketing roles for several 
Silicon Valley Companies, before ultimately starting her own 
businesses, Meetings & Incentives Group and Bimark Incorporated. 
Meetings and Incentives Group is one of the leading event planning 
groups in Silicon Valley and Bimark Inc. specializes in advertising 
specialty items. Biruta served as president of the Northern California 
Chapter of the Business Marketing Association and was honored 
repeatedly as owner of one of Silicon Valley's top twenty women-owned 
businesses.
  Biruta is remembered for her love of travel and cooking. She explored 
the globe and planned exotic events for some of Silicon Valley's most 
successful businesses. She was famous for her endless energy, 
creativity and zest for making other people's lives unforgettable 
through her event planning.
  Biruta is survived by her husband, Tom McShane, her daughter Laura 
Powers of San Ramon, daughter Alison Aarts of Millbrae and son Steve 
McShane of Salinas. Biruta is also survived by her four grandchildren, 
Jack Powers, Shane Powers, Cooper Powers and Aidan Aarts.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Biruta Stakle McShane for her 
accomplishments and contributions. The life of Biruta Stakle McShane 
serves as an example of excellence to those in her life, and her legacy 
will not be soon forgotten.

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