[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 176 (Thursday, December 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1849-E1850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           A TRIBUTE TO HONOR THE LIFE OF JENNIE MIRZA ESHOO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 12, 2013

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 
the life of Jennie Mirza Eshoo who passed away on November 27, 2013, in 
Turlock, California at the age of 98. Born in Chicago, Illinois on July 
17, 1915, to Aghassi and Martha Mirza, Jennie was the first-born in her 
family of five sisters and two brothers. She graduated from Waller High 
School in 1934, and was accepted to the University of Illinois. Though 
she was unable to attend college due to the Depression, she devoted 
herself to lifelong learning. She was an avid reader of biographies, 
history, the National Geographic, Smithsonian, her local newspapers and 
many other publications. Most of all, she cherished her Bible and its 
words nourished her soul over a lifetime.
  Jennie married Paul Eshoo on September 22, 1934, in Chicago, 
Illinois. In October, 1936, they bought a farm in Turlock, California, 
where they farmed wine grapes, walnuts, and chickens.
  Jennie was a homemaker for many years, and later in life she took a 
position at Stanislaus State University when it first opened, and later 
worked as a teacher's aide. She enjoyed traveling and was able to visit 
the Holy Land and Europe twice. She was extremely active in and deeply 
devoted to her church, St. John's Presbyterian, where she served as 
Elder, Clerk of the Session, Delegate to the Stockton Presbytery, and 
many other leadership roles.
  Jennie was a charter member of the Assyrian American Civic Club and 
was honored in 2011 as the Club's oldest charter member. She 
volunteered until the age of 90 for the Emanuel Medical Center 
Auxiliary, and was a member of the Senior Citizens of Turlock. She 
volunteered for decades as a poll worker, dedicating herself to one of 
the great manifestations of a democracy, voting. Her life was devoted 
to Christ and her community, and she served as a role model for all who 
were privileged to know her.
  Jennie was preceded in death by her husband Paul Eshoo and her sister 
Esther Aziz. She leaves four children; Peter and Genny Eshoo of Buffalo 
Grove, Illinois; George Eshoo of Menlo Park, California; Agnes and John 
Williams of Livermore, California; Alice and

[[Page E1850]]

Dale Pollard of Turlock, eight grandchildren and eight great-
grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. As Jennie was being taken 
to her final resting place, the family received the sad news that her 
sister, Julia Alexander, had just passed. She is now survived by two 
sisters and two brothers.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of a 
patriot. Jennie Eshoo was a woman who served her community, her church 
and her country with great dedication, and today the entire House of 
Representatives extends it condolences to all her family.

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