[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 82 (Wednesday, May 12, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING KITTY WILLIAMS AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 2021

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing Mrs. Kitty Williams, a 
Holocaust survivor and tireless advocate, as our Iowan of the Week. 
Mrs. Williams is a resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa. She is a public 
speaker who travels to schools with the goal of educating the youth of 
America about her experiences as a survivor and to ensure that the 
memory of the Holocaust and the horrors of hate, bigotry, and 
discrimination are never forgotten. She is described as extremely 
resilient and tough as nails and I couldn't be more proud of the work 
she has done to educate youth and people from all walks of life.
  Through Kitty's imprisonment at Auschwitz and later in Allendorf, she 
endured unspeakable atrocities. While she suffered greatly, she 
survived and worked to make a life for herself. She ultimately made her 
way to the United States. In her first marriage she experienced 
heartbreak and the loss of her son. She had been pressured to hide her 
Jewish heritage and her past but struggled to deny her heritage and the 
horror she experienced. Eventually, she became a working single mother 
and trained bank tellers. She remarried and found a loving husband who 
embraced her past.
  Through a challenging life, Kitty has persevered and survived. She 
has taken these experiences and--despite great heartache and trials--
has touched the lives of countless individuals and made a lasting 
impact on the lives of those she interacts with. While the pandemic had 
brought a halt to her ability to do presentations, she has since been 
able to secure a vaccine and fully intends to continue her work at the 
age of 96 educating and giving speeches to school children.
  During Women's History Month it is crucial to remember the hard-
fought rights and freedoms gained by women like Kitty. Her bravery and 
determination highlight the efforts taken by those who came before us. 
While stories like Kitty's aren't often told or shared, her grit and 
force of will show how women can and must persist.
  We can never forget our past and the atrocities that have been 
committed as there are still too many instances of bigotry and hate 
occurring today. It is through stories like Kitty's that we can bridge 
the experiences of those in the past and connect to the battles still 
to come.
  Kitty's efforts to educate others and be an advocate is inspiring and 
I hope she can soon return to schools to remind the next generation to 
stay vigilant in the face of adversity and to be allies to those who 
face discrimination. I am proud to represent constituents like Kitty 
Williams, who aren't afraid to stand up for themselves and ensure the 
next generation doesn't forget the past. In this third week of Women's 
History Month, I couldn't be happier to name Ms. Kitty Williams our 
Iowan of the Week.

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