[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 8360-8361]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE OF OTTILIE MARKHOLT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 2005

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of 
Ottilie Markholt, loving mother, grandmother, author, dedicated union 
advocate, community activist, and dear friend to many. Her passing 
marks a great loss for her family and friends, and also for every 
member of our American workforce. It was Ms. Markholt's focus, drive 
and vision, directed at improving and securing worker's rights that 
brought the plight of the American worker and the labor movement into 
the light of day.
  Ms. Markholt was born and raised in the great northwest, an only 
child of modest beginnings. As a young child, her family moved from the 
wild frontier of Alaska to Seattle, Washington. Ms. Markholt, 
exceptionally intelligent and well-read, rejected the socially 
conservative ideology present in higher education at the time, opting 
to quit college and focus on changing the world for the better--
especially for the working class. Armed with a passion for social 
justice, an agile mind, a gift for writing and an unwavering commitment 
to the cause, Ms. Markholt set off on a lifetime journey of advocating 
for the struggling working class of America.
  Ms. Markholt was no stranger to struggle herself. As a single mother 
of two young boys, Ms. Markholt survived on meager office wages by 
becoming an expert gardener and seamstress. She kept her boys well-fed 
and well-clothed by baking homemade bread, canning fruits and 
vegetables, making her own butter and cottage cheese, and making their 
own clothes. Despite adversity, she remained emotionally and physically 
strong, and her energy

[[Page 8361]]

and focus served to propel the labor movement forward. From writing 
critically acclaimed books and articles, to knocking on doors and 
soliciting membership, to organizing strikes, Ms. Markholt's energy and 
commitment helped set the labor movement ablaze in the Pacific 
Northwest.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance 
of the remarkable and exceptional life of Ottilie Markholt. The 
infinite measure of her heart, combined with her courage, vision and 
integrity, defined her life and served to lift the lives of countless 
individuals and families throughout our community, especially those who 
serve as the foundation of our nation--the American laborer. Her 
kindness, energy, compassion and unwavering focus on making our world a 
better place--one union member at a time, will be remembered always. I 
extend my deepest condolences to her friends and family members, and 
especially to her sons, Bob and Lee; her grandchildren, great-
grandchildren and great-great-grandchild.
  Ottilie Markholt lived her life with joy, energy and in complete 
harmony with her principals and values. Her eternal faith in humanity 
and in the notion that together, we can make a positive difference, 
will continue to serve as an unending force of hope and possibility for 
every member of America's labor force, and her memory and legacy will 
forever live on within the hearts of all who knew and loved her well.

                          ____________________