[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 7, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF ERSILIA MARIA ANTONIA VERONICA GHIRLANDA MONETT 
                                BALCAEN

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 7, 2016

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge one of my 
constituents, Ersilia Balcaen, who will be turning 105 this upcoming 
September the 17th. Mrs. Balcaen's life has been a truly American story 
in that despite coming from far away, she made the United States her 
home. Facing some of the most uncertain times in American history, she 
not only endured, but flourished.
  Ersilia was born in the small comune of Sesta Godano in Italy. She 
was only five years old when she made the dangerous journey to America 
with her family. She quickly proved her tenaciousness in her work ethic 
before she had even grown up through helping her family look after 
their animals and grow crops, and even held several jobs while studying 
in high school. She later moved to San Francisco and began work for an 
insurance company where she inspirationally fought to keep her job 
despite her recent marriage and did so successfully, only finally being 
let go after seven months of pregnancy.
  Ersilia's tireless aspirations did not end there. She eventually 
showed her aptitude by doing a test for the civil service and was soon 
hired by the U.S. Army as a stenographer with the Army's Overseas 
Supply Division at Presidio, California. During her time in service to 
her nation, she was part of the first evacuations from Pearl Harbor 
while attempting to bring back the wounded from the attacks. Her career 
eventually took her back to California where she helped many veterans 
and civil servants find work following the end to the war. She was 
heavily praised for her selfless efforts in caring for all those who 
worked for her. Despite some levels of discrimination she received, she 
endured and persisted, leading a highly notable career which she 
retired from in 1972, after 31 years. Her public service did not end 
upon retirement. Mrs. Balcaen continued to serve her community through 
her involvement in local charities.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a woman of extreme courage and fortitude, whose 
tireless efforts in spite of discrimination and difficulties, serves as 
an inspiration to all. She has spent nearly her entire life in service 
to others and her selflessness should be acknowledged for all to 
witness. I would ask my fellow members to stand with me and applaud 
Mrs. Balcaen and wish her well.

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