[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 17176-17177]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO NORMA KIPNIS-WILSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I stand before the House today 
compelled to share the inspirational story of a most extraordinary 
constituent. At 75 years of age, Norma Kipnis-Wilson remains a dynamic 
philanthropic force in the wonderful Miami-Dade County community which 
I am proud to represent. Norma fondly recalls making flower wreaths for 
the USO during the Second World War, and in her own words reflects, ``I 
have always been an activist. I am a patriot, greatly influenced by my 
being born on the 4th of July.''
  A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Norma came to Miami in 1959. She 
studied at the University of Miami and later worked as a stockbroker 
and real estate agent. Although always involved in service, she entered 
the business world more out of necessity. After gaining financial 
security, she drove right back into her lifelong passion, extending a 
caring hand to those less fortunate.
  According to Norma's daughter, Deahni Kipnis, philanthropy runs in 
her blood. In the late 1970s, Norma pioneered gender equality on the 
University of Miami's campus by breaking into that institution's male-
dominated board of trustees. ``It was wonderful to be a part of this 
change,'' she recalls. Deahni feels very grateful to her mom and 
remembers her mother's advice. ``Don't ever learn how to type or take 
shorthand.'' In Deahni's own words, ``She is a very forward-thinking, 
modern woman.''
  Norma's son, Dr. Douglas Michael Kipnis, adds, ``It is a great honor 
to know that your mother was a pioneer in women's equality.''
  Deahni, considering her mother's struggle for female ascendancy, 
recalls an instance when she observed Norma sitting with a female 
Jackson Memorial Hospital nurse. Deahni promptly declared, ``You're 
sitting in the presence of a legend. Your life is easier today because 
of the work my mother has done.''
  After her work at the University of Miami, Norma focused her 
attention on Jackson Memorial Hospital, serving as the chairman of the 
board of the Rape Treatment Center. She is also a member of the board 
of the Foundation at Jackson, where she raises money for many causes, 
ranging from the renovation of the Holtz Children Hospital to funding 
the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Center.
  According to Norma's son Douglas, ``She works effortlessly for the 
masses, people she will never see; but she knows that they will benefit 
from her work.''
  Striving to better her community, Norma Kipnis-Wilson, with her 
colleague Rosey Cancella, founded the Guardian Angels, an organization 
dedicated to lovingly supporting sick kids at the Holtz Children's 
Hospital. Norma was not content to just sit on a board; rather, she has 
always tried to make a difference.
  In addition to her extensive local service, Norma Kipnis-Wilson has 
reached out to the international Jewish community as a lifetime 
contributor to and leader of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, where 
she helps foster support and expedites programs for Miami-Dade and 
Israel. Indeed, Norma has recently been named as a life member of that 
institution's board of directors. Through her involvement with the 
Jewish Federation, Norma developed the Lion of Judah pin, which 
signifies outstanding generosity.
  Considering the Lion of Judah to be her greatest contribution, Norma 
marvels at how her idea has become a benevolent global sorority, over 
7,000 strong, helping to raise millions of dollars every year.
  According to Norma's son, Captain Daniel Carlin Kipnis, ``I have to 
credit her with my becoming a moral person.'' This is just one example 
of Norma's far-reaching influence, an influence that has helped better 
many lives and has inspired many others to adopt the cause of community 
service as their own. In the words of her lifelong friend, Roxcy 
Bolton, ``Norma cares about the human race and cares about Israel.''
  Norma is also a tough survivor, recently triumphing in her battle 
against cancer. Never complaining about her pain, she continued to 
attend board meetings at Jackson Memorial Hospital throughout her 
chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
  Norma Kipnis-Wilson is a remarkable woman who has had a profound 
effect on her immediate community and, indeed, on the world. In 
addition to her legacy of uncompromising perseverance in the face of 
obstacles, Norma encourages the young people of today with a challenge: 
Care about others as much as you care about yourself.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Norma and her entire family for 
their selfless contributions to our community.

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