[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 16, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E254-E255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN RECOGNITION OF THE 95TH BIRTHDAY OF JEAN ZARANKO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 16, 2021

  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jean Zaranko 
on the occasion of her 95th birthday. Mrs. Zaranko was born on June 10, 
1926. She was raised in Taylor Township, Michigan. She completed school 
up to 8th grade and then worked as an elevator operator at the Griswold 
Building in Downtown Detroit but felt like she needed to do something 
more for her country during World War II.
  At the age of 17 she altered her birth certificate in order to join 
the war effort at the Willow Run Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti Township. 
Jean was originally hired as a welder but became a riveter, working on 
the center wing of the B-24 and sometimes slipping notes into the wings 
for servicemembers to find. As a Rosie the Riveter, Jean's hard work, 
grit, and patriotism not only sustained the American war effort, but 
paved a path for the next generation of working women.
  She came to meet her first husband Moscow Lambert after a man at a 
bus stop at Willow Run had broken his glasses and asked for assistance 
in writing to his son who was serving overseas. This began a two-year 
affair, constantly exchanging calls and letters until they finally met 
one day at the Train Depot in Detroit where he proposed to her that 
day. Together, they had four sons and were married for nine years 
before Moscow passed away due to an accident at the steel plant where 
he worked. She later married Mr. Zaranko and they were together for 52 
years.
  A proud Rosie, even now she has remained an active member of our 
community. She feels

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that she is here to give her time and efforts to others when they need 
it and is God's tool to help others. Her lifelong commitment to service 
reminds us all of the impact that the Rosies have had on our state and 
nation.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating 
Jean Zaranko on her 95th birthday. I join with her family, including 
twenty grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren, and friends in 
extending my best and warmest wishes to her on this special day. I am 
proud to honor her life, her accomplishments, and her invaluable 
contributions to our nation.

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