[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21854]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



        HONORING THE LATE LENA HOFFMAN OF COLLINSVILLE, ILLINOIS

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                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 6, 2000

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, today I honor Ms. Lena Hoffman of my 
hometown of Collinsville, Illinois. Ms. Hoffman passed away on October 
1, 2000, three days before her 104th birthday.
  Several weeks before her passing, her family asked me to share my 
thoughts and congratulations with Lena for her birthday milestone. I 
was excited to be a part of the celebration of one of the town's oldest 
citizens. Everyone was looking forward to the big day. As her family 
was coming together to celebrate her birthday, they found out that they 
would be gathering to mourn her death and celebrate her rich life.
  Lena was not rich in material wealth, but rather, rich in spirit. 
That rich spirit lived in the beautiful garden she cultivated, in the 
quilting society she belonged to, and in the molasses cookies and 
breads she bake. Her rich spirit lives in her four daughters, her 31 
grandchildren, in 50 great-grandchildren, in 38 great-great 
grandchildren and 10 great-great-great grandchildren.
  Many people in Washington speak of legacies, I am not sure of too 
many people who can hold a candle to Lena Hoffman's legacy--a close, 
loving family--five generations strong. We should all be so lucky to 
have such a rich and full life.
  Hermann Broch once wrote that, ``No one's death comes to pass without 
making some impression, and those close to the deceased inherit part of 
the liberated soul and become richer in their humanness.'' In her 103 
years, Lena touched many lives. She will be truly missed, but her 
legacy will live on.

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