[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 113 (Thursday, June 18, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF LOUISE ENDEL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 18, 2020

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise 
today to pay tribute to Louise Endel, a pillar of the New Haven 
community and a dear friend. Though she lived a long and fulfilling 
life, it still feels as though she was taken from us much too. soon. 
Hers is a legacy of compassion, philanthropy and generosity that will 
surely continue to serve as an inspiration to all those who know her--
and likely many that did not.
  Louise and her husband, Charlie, moved to North Haven with their 
three daughters in 1952 and soon became actively involved in the 
community and with a myriad of community organizations, including the 
League of Women Voters, the Girl Scouts, and Ridge Road School's Parent 
Teacher Association. Louise and Charlie were also founding members of 
the Ridge Top Club, the first swimming club in the area to ``eschew 
racial and religious discrimination.'' Over the course of her life, 
Louise served on fifty-two local, state and national boards and was 
passionately devoted to supporting many New Haven non-profits including 
the International Festival of Arts and Ideas, the Long Wharf Theatre, 
the Elm Shakespeare Theater, St. Raphael's Hospital Foundation, and 
L.E.A.P.
  Louise was the epitome of a ``people-person.'' She intrinsically 
understood the soul of a person--where their passions lay and how best 
they could make a difference. Louise herself was one of the most giving 
people I have ever had the good fortune to know. She was affectionately 
known as the ``matchmaker''--not because she matched people for love, 
but because she could match people to the best ways in which they could 
contribute to the community. Louise connected people with complimenting 
talents, ensuring the success of countless organizations and events. In 
a word, she was remarkable.
  I myself benefitted from her unique talents. Louise was one of the 
first people to approach and encourage me to run for Congress. I 
remember her coming to me and asking if I would ever consider running, 
and when I replied that I was, she said, ``let me introduce you to . . 
.'' and the rest, as they say, is history. I, like so many others, 
consider myself fortunate to have called her my friend.
  Louise was an extraordinary woman whose kind heart and generosity 
touched the lives of many. A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-
grandmother, Louise is survived by her three daughters, Susan, Barbara, 
and Patricia; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. To them, I 
extend my deepest sympathies and hope that they know what an enormous 
impact Louise had on all those who knew her. Hers is a legacy that will 
continue to inspire generations to come.

                          ____________________