[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 69 (Friday, April 10, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF MICHAEL WITKOWSKY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TED LIEU

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 10, 2020

  Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 
life of Michael Witkowsky--a beloved father, grandfather, husband, and 
friend--who passed away on March 30, 2020, at the age of 80.
  Mike was born in Los Angeles on January 14, 1940, to Rebecca and 
Irving Witkowsky. He graduated from Hamilton High School in 1957 and 
married Hope Witkowsky in 1959. Last year, I was honored to attend 
their 60th wedding anniversary.
  Mike was an accomplished and well-respected health insurance agent 
who was committed to providing exemplary service and care to American 
families. He became an insurance agent with Farmers Insurance Group in 
1961 and planned to retire on March 31, 2020. During his extensive and 
impressive tenure, he received numerous awards from Farmers Insurance, 
including the Presidents Council, the company's most elite honor for 
the top one-percent of agents and district managers.
  Mike later became a United Healthcare agent in 2008 and continued to 
receive awards every year. He was helping people right to the very end, 
even from his hospital bed. Mike passed away with the largest book of 
business in Los Angeles County.
  In addition to his professional work, Mike was an active member of 
his local community and a dedicated family member. Hope served as a 
Torrance City Councilmember and Mike was his wife's biggest supporter. 
He also volunteered at many local events in Torrance, including running 
a booth at the Fourth of July celebration and announcing and riding in 
the annual Armed Forces Parade. From 1968 to 1977, he coached several 
Little League teams and later volunteered to become an umpire.
  Mike never missed an activity that his children or grandchildren 
participated in. Over one summer in 1999, he took his granddaughters to 
visit every park in Torrance--one park every day. A die-hard Dodger 
fan, Michael carried a warm smile wherever he went.
  Mike is survived by his wife Hope, his son Daniel, his daughter 
Debra, his grandchildren Nicole, Stacy, Denise, Max, Elizabeth, and 
great grandchildren Chloe and Devin. I hope they take comfort in the 
way Mike lived his life as a patriotic and caring citizen. My wife 
Betty and I dearly miss our friend Mike. May his memory be a blessing 
to us all.

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