On the recordDecember 12, 2011
Today I want to speak of the remarkable life of my friend Gene Rossitch of Winston-Salem. Gene died last week at age 77 after a tenacious fight with cancer. One of the remarkable things about Gene is that he grew up in Cuba and fled to the U.S. with his family in 1962 in search of freedom. Despite being uprooted and transplanted into a new culture and Nation, he thrived in Winston- Salem, forging a successful 30-year career at Wachovia Bank. But Gene was more than just a successful businessman. He was passionate about investing in the community, which he went about with gusto during the nearly 50 years he made his mark on the community of Winston-Salem. He leaves behind a shining example of helping others, from serving as a volunteer translator for the police and court system to serving with the Red Cross to volunteering on the board of a local Catholic high school. Gene also lived a vibrant life of faith, serving in numerous ways in his local church, Our Lady of Mercy, for decades. His life demonstrated to those who knew him that he was a man of conviction, steadfast faith, and unrivaled dedication to his community and those in need. He will be greatly missed, and his passing is a terrible loss to his family and loved ones, as well as the entire Winston-Salem community. Mr. Speaker, my prayers are with his family and many friends who are mourning the loss of a man of kindness and remarkable character. ____________________
