[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 164 (Wednesday, September 22, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6620-S6621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DOROTHY SHIRLEY LICHT

  Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I want to honor a former First Lady of 
Rhode Island, Mrs. Dorothy Shirley

[[Page S6621]]

Licht, as she celebrates her 100th birthday on Monday, September 27, 
2021.
  Dorothy Shirley Krauss was born in Providence, RI, in 1921. She spent 
much of her life dedicated to others--raising three children, working 
to enrich her community, and supporting her late husband, the former 
Governor of Rhode Island Frank Licht, in his political and judicial 
endeavors.
  In 1949, she married Frank Licht, a Rhode Islander who graduated from 
Brown University and Harvard Law School and served as a State senator 
in Rhode Island from 1949 until being sworn in as an associate justice 
of the Rhode Island Superior Court in 1956.
  After 12 steadfast years on the bench, Licht thrust himself into an 
uphill gubernatorial fight against the incumbent Governor and my former 
colleague, the late Senator John Chafee. Following a hard-fought 
campaign, Licht secured an underdog win in 1968, and with Dorothy at 
his side, he became the first Jewish Governor in Rhode Island's 
history. During Governor Licht's time in office, he focused on 
advancing mental healthcare, strong environmental protections, and bold 
economic reforms. With strong conviction and courage, he pushed through 
an unpopular tax plan that would help guide Rhode Island out of a 
devastating financial crisis.
  No public servant can be successful without the strong support of 
their loved ones. Through tough races, long hours, and challenging 
times, Dorothy gifted to the people of Rhode Island a model for strong 
and eloquent leadership. During her time as First Lady and in the 
decades since, Dorothy held the advancement of the arts and humanities 
close to her heart. Her work to elevate art and culture across our 
community is exemplified by her past service on the boards of the Rhode 
Island State Council on the Arts, the New England Foundation for the 
Arts, and the Rhode Island Symphony. Dorothy's compassion for helping 
those in need is perhaps best shown through her role as an honorary 
board member of the Rhode Island Food Bank, a role she still holds 
today.
  Through all of the highs of Dorothy's life, she has not been immune 
to loss. She has endured the immeasurable burden of burying both her 
loving husband Frank many years ago, as well as her eldest daughter 
Beth, who passed unexpectedly earlier this year. Still, Dorothy is 
strengthened and supported by her beloved family who join with me to 
celebrate this milestone, including her two surviving daughters Carol 
and Judy, her eight grandchildren, and her four great-grandchildren, as 
well as her nephew, former Lieutenant Governor Richard Licht.
  It is my distinct honor to recognize Dorothy for her life of service 
to Rhode Island, her commitment to her family, and this momentous 
occasion of her 100th birthday.

                          ____________________