[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Pages 20002-20003]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                    TRIBUTE TO MADELEINE ANNE THOMAS

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today in memory of a dear 
friend, Madeleine Anne Thomas, who tragically drowned during a rafting 
trip on June 22. I also want to pay tribute today to her husband and 
children who were with her on that day. I feel extremely fortunate to 
have known Madeleine as a friend. I know that she will be missed by 
many.
  Madeleine Thomas had a propensity for helping people. This desire led 
her to specialize as a lawyer in the areas of domestic relations, small 
business law, and civil and criminal litigation. Her top priorities 
were cases involving children--she served as the court referee for the 
Wexford and Missaukee County Circuit Courts. In this capacity, she 
heard and ruled on all issues concerning child support, child custody, 
visitation, paternity, and alimony for the Circuit Court.
  Ms. Thomas was also influential in the advancement of women in her 
field. She was the first woman president of her local county bar 
association and she led the way in promoting equality by showing others 
that she could accomplish that which no other woman had.
  Mr. President, I cannot put into words the importance this genuine 
person had on the people she touched. Her son Christopher's beautiful 
and touching eulogy truly captures the spirit of her loving and 
compassionate life. I ask to have printed in the Record Christopher's 
heart-felt eulogy, which was printed in the Traverse City Record Eagle.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The eulogy follows:

                         Madeleine Anne Thomas


                           Died June 22, 1999

       Traverse City.--The world's greatest mother, most loving 
     wife, kindest daughter and most compassionate lawyer died 
     Wednesday, June 22. Madeleine Anne Thomas drowned in a tragic 
     river rafting accident in Montana during a family trip.
       Madeleine lived a spirited, sincerely happy life, which 
     started with her birth in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Nov. 2, 1957. 
     After a childhood in which her parents, Jacqueline and Ben 
     Thomas, taught her the essential values of gentle kindness, 
     she graduated from Michigan State University and received her 
     law degree from the University of Detroit. While in college, 
     Madeleine met her soul mate and man of her dreams, Bob 
     Eichenlaub.
       Throughout their marriage, Bob and Madeleine maintained a 
     constant, fulfilling love. They truly saw each other through 
     sickness and health; in richer and in poorer their was always 
     love.
       She crafted into being two gentle children to whom she 
     taught the skills of love. Christopher T. Eichenlaub, 17, and 
     Caroline T. Eichenlaub, 12, remember with joy all of the 
     moments of guidance that their mother provided. Whether it 
     was through a heart-to-heart, a philosophical debate, or even 
     an argument, Madeleine always had her children, and their 
     future as individual souls, as her first interest.

[[Page 20003]]

       Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once wrote, ``Give what you 
     have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.'' 
     These words sat on Madeleine's desk and this is how she lived 
     her life. She gave all that she could, to any whom she could.
       During her 15 years in Traverse City, she took in two 
     teens, one as a foster child, and just last year, took a 
     Russian exchange student into her heart. She raised Glen and 
     Stahsy as confidently and as warmly as she did her own, 
     showing them how a family works and how true motherly love 
     feels.
       While Madeleine consistently showed that her family, 
     friends and spiritual life were her top priorities, she also 
     set up her own law firm with partner Thomas Gilbert and 
     became quite a renowned lawyer. Madeleine served a short 
     period as a rotarian and also spent much time as a Wexford 
     County referee. On her ten year reunion questionnaire form 
     for University of Detroit, Madeleine said that the thing she 
     liked most about her practice was her community involvement.
       Because of this community involvement, and her work, 
     motivation and persistent work in many fields, Madeleine was 
     recognized and thanked by organizations including: The 
     Michigan Association for Emotionally Disturbed Children, 
     United Way, Women's Resource Center, American Cancer Society, 
     Third Level Crisis Center, State Theatre Group, Traverse City 
     Chamber of Commerce and Crooked Tree Girl Scouts. She wrote 
     articles for both the Business News and the Prime Time News, 
     teaching her readers to be able to negotiate for themselves.
       Among the many things that she was known for, she will be 
     most missed for her exploding, infectious laughter which 
     brightened any situation, softened any reality and livened 
     any chance encounter. Her laughter brought people in. It was 
     one of her best ways of showing love. Caroline, shortly 
     before her mother's death, said ``Your laughter makes me feel 
     important.'' And that it did.
       Although a devout Catholic, Madeleine believed in the 
     basics dignities inherent to all religions, races and 
     cultures. She had faith in Christ the Savior, yet 
     acknowledged that many beliefs may be the right belief, while 
     very few could be wrong if the human consciousness was in the 
     right place.
       Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at 
     Immaculate Conception Church in Traverse City. A rosary will 
     be recited at 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2 
     p.m. Monday at the church. Madeleine was planning to travel 
     to Haiti to set up a medical mission this August. She would 
     be pleased to have donations sent to Mission of Love, 931 
     Crestwood Drive, East, Evansville, IN 47715 or Women's 
     Resource Center, 720 S. Elmwood, Traverse City, MI 49684.
       Written by Madeleine's beloved son, Christopher.

                          ____________________