July 24, 2001 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE 14235 each and every day the best of Amer- ever known anyone more talented, TRIBUTE TO WARREN E. PEARSON ican values—devotion to their country, more compassionate, selfless and re- ∑ Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. their community, their family, and to markable than Mimi Farina. President, I rise today to pay tribute each other. Last Wednesday, at age 56, Mimi Fa- to Warren E. Pearson of Dixville Married on Friday, August 29, 1941 at rina lost a courageous, two-year battle Notch, NH, who passed away on June the First Baptist Church in Erwin, with neuroendocrine cancer. While peo- 28, 2001. He had fought a courageous Tennessee, the Jennings embarked on ple around the country and around the battle with cancer and inspired many their journey as newlyweds living in world are saddened by her death, with his spirit and determination. New York City until Richard was Mimi’s courageous, crusading spirit Warren was born in Lewiston, ME, called to the service in World War II. will surely live on in the work of Bread and served with honor and distinction Richard served in both of the war’s the- & Roses, an organization that she in the United States Army’s 25th Infan- aters, and was in Europe on VE Day founded in 1974. try Division in Vietnam. While in the and Japan on VJ Day. While he was Bread & Roses is a unique, inter- Army, he served as a military ski in- overseas, Virginia gave back to her nationally renowned social services structor and ski area manager in Fort community as an educator, teaching agency, held together by countless Richardson, Alaska. and coaching basketball. dedicated volunteers and a simple, Warren returned to New Hampshire On returning home, Richard began a compassionate mission: to bring free after his military service and assumed distinguished career at Tennessee East- live music to people confined in insti- the position of head ski school instruc- man in Kingsport which spanned al- tutions—in jails, juvenile facilities, tor at The BALSAMS Grand Resort & most forty years. Virginia made a hospitals and rest homes. Last year Hotel in Dixville Notch. He was pro- mark for herself in community service alone, Bread & Roses sponsored more moted through the ranks and became in Johnson City, generously donating than 500 concerts at some 82 institu- General Manager of the resort in 1971. her time as President of the Junior tions across the country. In 1977 he became a managing partner League, helping to found a mental Mimi Farina gave up her own prom- and corporate vice president of The health clinic, and serving on the city’s ising singing career to found Bread & BALSAMS Corporation. planning commission. Both also made Roses and to nurse it through years of He was an active supporter of his their spiritual lives a priority with hard times. The inspiration for Bread & community and served positions in- their active membership in the Munsey Roses came to her in 1973, when she ac- cluding: Director at The First Memorial United Methodist Church. companied her sister and Colebrook Bank, Chairman at First Although raised as a Baptist, Virginia blues artist B.B. King to a performance Colebrook Bankcorp, Board member of followed her mother’s sound advice to at Sing Sing prison. She was deeply the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital be the best Methodist she could! moved by the prisoners’ reaction to the and member of the New Hampshire With all of their accomplishments, music they heard that day. That expe- Better Business Bureau. He also served probably their proudest moments came rience, coupled with a performance of on the Board of Trustees at the Han- with the arrival of two daughters, Eve her own a short time later at a Marin over Inn at Dartmouth College. Warren was awarded professional rec- Boyd Jennings in 1947 and Anne Brad- County halfway house convinced Mimi ognition for his contributions in the shaw Jennings in 1954. The Jennings’ of the enormous need for an organiza- hospitality industry including: Inn- family today boasts six grandchildren tion like Bread & Roses. keeper of the Year Award from the New and five great-children, all of whom are Over the past quarter century, the Hampshire Hospitality Association in the apple of their grandparents’ eyes. work of Bread & Roses has been sup- 1980–81; New Hampshire Commission Through the years, Virginia, a de- ported by a dazzling array of per- for the Arts, Business Award for Sup- voted Republican, loved the thrill of formers, including , Pete port of the Arts in 1985 and New Eng- politics. Former U.S. Senator Howard Seeger, Paul Winter, , Lily land Innkeepers Association Out- Baker tapped her into service as his Tomlin, , , standing Service Award. Tri-Cities field representative where Robin Williams, Huey Lewis, Boz Warren is survived by his wife of 34 she served throughout his three terms Scaggs and . years, Eleanor; his son, Michael and in the Senate. Virginia became a living As Bread & Roses grew in size and wife, Sharon; his son, Andrew and wife, legend in that role. When I first ran for stature, Mimi became its most promi- Lorraine and a daughter, Tamme and the Senate, I turned to her time and nent and persuasive advocate. She re- three grandchildren: Duncan Pearson, time again for advice and counsel, and ceived many awards and accolades, in- Lindsay Pearson and Lilly Anne Pear- she not only gave me the great honor cluding ‘‘Woman of the Year’’ from the son Robarts. He is also survived by his of becoming a valuable mentor, but she Bay Area Women in Music, ‘‘Most Val- mother, Mildred Bollavance and two has also bestowed upon my wife, uable Person Award’’ from the Na- sisters: Deborah Cooke and Marcia Karyn, and me an even greater gift— tional Academy of Recording Arts & Whitman. her friendship and love. Sciences, ‘‘Woman Most Likely to be Warren served his country and State Virginia and Richard Jennings epito- President’’ from the San Francisco with pride and dignity. As a Vietnam mize the very best of what it means to League of Women Voters, ‘‘Woman En- veteran, I commend him for his service be Americans. They are a national trepreneur of the Year’’ from the Na- in the United States Army and for his treasure. In anticipation of their 60th tional Association of Women Business exemplary personal and business con- wedding anniversary on Wednesday, Owners and the 10th Annual Life Work tributions to The BALSAMS Grand Re- August 29, 2001, I want to thank Vir- Award from the Falkirk Cultural Cen- sort and New Hampshire. He will be ginia and Richard for their service to ter in San Rafael. She was among the sadly missed by all those whose lives our nation, and most importantly, for first inductees into the Marin County he touched. It is truly an honor and a living their lives in a way that serves Women’s Hall of Fame. privilege to have represented him in as a shining example for all of us to I close today with an offer of my the U.S. Senate.∑ emulate. I am honored to be their U.S. deepest condolences to the family of f Senator.∑ Mimi Farina and to those who loved f her, and with these words from the HONORING WYNN SPEECE poem ‘‘Bread & Roses,’’ originally writ- ∑ Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise IN MEMORY OF MIMI FARINA ten for female laborers and put to today to publicly commend Wynn ∑ Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, in the music by Mimi: Speece of Yankton, South Dakota, who more than 25 years that I have been Our days shall not be sweated from birth with her sixty years of broadcasting privileged to serve in public office, I until life closes. excellence at WNAX, 570 AM, has be- have come to know many, many re- Hearts starve as well as bodies: Give us come the longest running radio person- markable people. But rarely have I bread, but give us roses.∑ ality in the nation.

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