[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 10] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 14387-14388] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO ROSALIE S. WOLF, PIONEER IN FIGHT AGAINST ELDER ABUSE ______ HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN of massachusetts in the house of representatives Tuesday, July 24, 2001 Mr. McGovern. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rosalie S. Wolf, Ph.D. Rosalie, an international leader in the fight against elder abuse, the long time Director of the Institute on Aging of the University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care System in Worcester, as well as a friend and constituent, passed away on June 26, 2001. Rosalie Wolf was the Founder and President of the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. Through her research, advocacy, and coalition building skills, Rosalie brought the issue of elder abuse to the halls of Congress in search of legislative solutions. She helped raise the public consciousness about the scourge of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. During Rosalie's tenure as president, the Committee advised Congress and the Executive Branch on legislation and other programs that were needed to combat elder abuse and neglect. Rosalie testified on several occasions before Congress and served as a project director for three national programs funded by the Administration on Aging regarding elder abuse information dissemination. She also served as a delegate to the 1995 White House Conference on Aging and she helped secure passage of a resolution on elder abuse prevention. In addition to these accomplishments, she also served as an organizational partner and member of the management team for the National Center on Elder Abuse in Washington. Rosalie worked as Editor and contributor to the highly acclaimed Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect. Her impact was felt internationally when she worked to found the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. Rosalie Wolf was the recipient of many awards, most notably the Donald P. Kent award from the Gerontological Society of America for exemplifying the highest standards of professional leadership in gerontology through teaching, service, and interpretation of gerontology to the larger society. The UMass Memorial Health Care System was fortunate to have Rosalie Wolf as the Executive Director of the Institute on Aging. National aging policy grows more important as the nation continues to age. Rosalie Wolf, through her work and leadership, became a true champion to those who were victimized by elder abuse. The national aging network mourns the passing of Rosalie Wolf. She was a leader with great intellect and integrity. She was dedicated to her work and determined to make a difference in the fight against elder abuse. I offer these words on behalf of Rosalie and on behalf of her family, her many professional colleagues, and admirers. At this point, I submit into the Record two additional items related to Rosalie Wolf. The first is her obituary from the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. The second is a heartfelt tribute written by a close colleague of Rosalie's from California, Lisa Nerenbert. Rosalie Wolf, 74 Worcester.--Rosalie (Savat) Wolf, 74, of 25 Ashmore Road, an active researcher and worker in the fields of elder abuse prevention and gerontology, died Tuesday, June 26, in UMass Memorial Medical Center--Memorial Campus after an illness. Her husband, Wallace W. Wolf, died in 1988. She leaves two sons, Dr. Gary L. Wolf of Worcester and Dr. Jonathan S. Wolf of Upper Saddle River, N.J.; a daughter, Amy Wolf of New York City; her twin sister, Constance Kreshtool of Wilmington, Del.; and five grandchildren. A sister, Nancy Melnik of Cherry Hill, N.J., predeceased her. She was born in Worcester, daughter of Samuel and Tillie (Lederman) Savat. She graduated from Classical High School and graduated with Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude honors from University of Wisconsin. She earned a doctorate in social welfare policy from Brandeis University in 1976. Since 1990, Mrs. Wolf was executive director of the Institute on Aging at UMass Memorial Medical Center, and assistant professor of family medicine, community health and psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. From 1981 to 1990, Mrs. Wolf was associate director of the University Center on Aging at University of Massachusetts Medical Center. She previously was director of the gerontology planning project at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center for four years. From 1976 to 1977, she was a project director of data monitoring and evaluation for the Division of Family Health Services, Massachusetts Department of Public Health. She received numerous grants and awards for her research in elder abuse and authored and edited many articles on the subject. She was the founder and editor of the journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect. Mrs. Wolf was active in the gerontology field on the local and national level, serving in several capacities. She was honored by Temple Emanuel as a life trustee. She also assisted in writing legislation for a number of states and testified before the U.S. Congress at least once or twice a year for the past 10 years. The funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 28, in Temple Emanuel, 280 May St. Burial will be in B'nai B'rith Cemetery. Memorial observance will be held through Sunday, July 1, at the residence of Dr. and Mrs. Gary Wolf, 10 Donna Road. Memorial donations may be made to the Wallace W. Wolf Endowment Fund, Jewish [[Page 14388]] Healthcare Center, 629 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA 01609; or to Temple Emanuel, 280 May St., Worcester, MA 01602. Perlman Funeral Home, 1026 Main St., is directing arrangements. Rosalie Wolf, PhD--In Memoriam (Submitted by Lisa Nerenberg, friend and colleague) For over two decades, Dr. Rosalie Wolf was the driving force behind a movement to ensure the safety, security, and dignity of our nation's most vulnerable members . . . the elderly. She devoted much of her career to exploring the causes, patterns, and treatment of elder abuse and neglect through her own groundbreaking research and by promoting the work of others. She edited the Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, spearheaded multiple demonstration projects, and provided advise and help to countless organizations and individuals. Dr. Wolf was committed to helping seniors remain in their homes and communities, avoiding unnecessary institutionalization. But she also recognized that achieving that goal required a safety net of supportive and protective services, and that to create such a safety net required the cooperation of multiple disciplines. Much of her work was devoted to promoting cross-disciplinary exchange and cooperation. She founded the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, a remarkable diverse network of researchers, educators, police, prosecutors, advocates, health care professionals, and protective service personnel to promote research, advocate for enlightened policy, raise public awareness, create grassroots local programs, and promote collaboration. It is a distinctive and distinguished group; the common thread among its members is the respect they share for Dr. Wolf. Bringing together people with diverse perspectives hasn't always been without strife. Different disciplines bring divergent views and interests to the table, particularly with respect to personal freedom, family responsibility, society's obligation to protect vulnerable members, and holding perpetrators accountable. Dr. Wolf thrived on creative exchange and believed that when committed, thinking people come together with a common purpose, their differences strengthen and enrich the field. Her broad focus was also reflected in her work worldwide. She collaborated with scholars, teachers, and practitioners in Finland, Japan, India, Argentina, and the UK. She was a founding member and chair of the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, a member of the World Health Organization Consulting Group for the World Report on Violence, and a member of the Steering Committee of the United Nations International Working group on Trauma. Dr. Wolf answered calls to the National Committee herself. Whether it was a senator calling for background on a proposed bill or a high school student writing a paper on abuse, she was equally receptive, equally gratified by their interest, and equally willing to drop what she was doing to be of help. She was a valued source of information and assistance for the Justice Department, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institute on Aging. She served on government task forces and focus groups, and testified before Congressional committees on numerous occasions. Dr. Wolf was Director of the institute on Aging at UMass Memorial Health Care in Worcester, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine and Family Practice Studies at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. She was a member of the management team of the National Center on Elder Abuse and was active in the American Society on Aging and the Gerontological Society of America, which awarded her its Donald P. Kent award in 1998. In the last year of her life, as her health declined, colleagues begged her to slow down-if not to pass the torch, then at least to let others help clear her path. But there was always one more conference, one more article, or one more new project to plan. It was her colleagues who ended up being swayed during these exchanges; they emerged with renewed energy and commitment. Her passion was contagious. She brought people together, mentored, guided, encouraged, and motivated. She led with grace, dignity, wisdom, humility, and boundless energy. Even in death, she will continue to lead through the contributions she has left behind, the relationships she has forged, and the example she has set. ____________________