[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14068-14069]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         TRIBUTE TO ELSIE RICH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 19, 2001

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Elsie Rich. As we 
prepare to celebrate Elsie's one hundredth birthday, we can be inspired 
by a life that embraces joyful energy, thoughtful discussion, and a 
positive approach to overcoming obstacles.
  Born Elsa Shiffman in Vienna Austria in August, 1901, Elsie was one 
of five children in a Jewish family that owned a textile factory. In 
1932 she married Henry Reich (later Rich), and the two lived in Vienna 
until 1938. After

[[Page 14069]]

hearing Hitler announce his plans to exterminate all the Jews in 
Europe, Elsie and Henry applied for visas to America. They left a few 
months after Hitler's troops invaded Austria, sending many Jews to 
concentration camps.
  In America, the Rich family lived in New York before moving to Santa 
Rosa, California, in 1943. They eventually bought a ranch and became 
U.S. citizens. ``Coming to America was the best thing that ever 
happened to me,'' according to Elsie. ``We should enjoy the freedom, 
because we need to remember that we are lucky to live in such a 
wonderful nation.''
  Since arriving in Santa Rosa, Elsie Rich has been an active member 
and generous financial supporter of Congregation Beth Ami and the 
entire Jewish community. She is a woman of active participation and 
strong faith who always attends weekly services. Since Henry's death in 
1976, Elsie's life has also included exercise classes, reading, 
cooking, discussing world affairs, using public transportation, and 
enjoying nearby casinos. For the last two years, she has been the 
oldest person to attend the Sonoma County Fair. Her upbeat energy and 
resilience have continued to inspire those around her.
  Mr. Speaker, Elsie Rich's one hundredth birthday is a fitting 
occasion to remember, in her words, that ``life is like a river. You 
have to go with your best stream and pick out what's best for you.'' 
Elsie has truly exemplified that approach.

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