[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 181 (Thursday, November 2, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1046]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING RITA JOSEPHINE LYNCH ON THE OCCASION OF HER NINETY-FIFTH 
                                BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LISA C. McCLAIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 2, 2023

  Mrs. McCLAIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the birthday of Rita 
Josephine Lynch, who on October 27th reached the incredible milestone 
of her 95th birthday.
  Rita Josephine was born one of seven children to Behia and James 
Thomas, who emigrated from Lebanon in the early 1920s to pursue the 
American Dream. Rita graduated from Olean High School, attended 
Canisius College, and is a proud graduate of Mercy School of Nursing in 
Buffalo, New York. Before meeting the love of her life, Thomas ``Tom'' 
Meecham Lynch, she worked at hospitals in Olean and Buffalo, New York.
  Rita and Tom married in 1955 and later moved to Dunkirk, New York, 
where Rita worked as a nurse and Tom as a pharmacist. Rita and Tom grew 
their family to six children, even as Rita continued to pursue her 
career in nursing for local families and friends.
  Throughout her life, Rita has always been a committed volunteer for 
many selfless causes. Rita has volunteered with the Red Cross, 
providing blood pressures appointments at local drugstores, she has 
served on the Altar Rosary Society at her local Catholic church, and 
the Brooks Hospital Auxiliary Board.
  Rita has always helped others; from caring for her mother and mother-
in-law to her youngest brother, Rev. Donald N. Thomas, after his 
retirement and her late husband until his passing.
  Today, friends, family, and her faith continue to be focal points in 
her life as she stays in contact with old friends from nursing school 
along with her six children and their families, which includes 18 
grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
  While at home, if she isn't watching EWTN, she is watching Fox News, 
TMC, or her favorite sports--football, hockey, or golf. In her free 
time, she loves to go for drives around the Point and Dunkirk Pier--
sometimes, she looks for bargains at T.J. Maxx.
  She loves to see her great grandchildren and watch them compete in 
baseball, football, volleyball, and dance performances every 
opportunity she has. Every week, when she is able, you can find her in 
a pew at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fredonia, New York.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me and my colleagues in celebrating the 
wonderful occasion of Rita Josephine Lynch's 95th birthday. I cannot 
wait to wish her a happy 100th.

                          ____________________