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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E41]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN HONOR OF THE LIFE OF LILIJA GRUMULAITIS
______
HON. KEVIN BRADY
of texas
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the remarkable life
of Lilija Grumulaitis and recognize her unwavering dedication to her
community and causes closest to her heart.
Although a devoted American, Lilija was not born in the United
States. Born on February 15, 1938 in Marijampole, Lithuania, Lilija
migrated to Germany and Australia before calling America home. Her
journey began during World War II when Russian forces attacked
Lithuanian cities--making it impossible to live peacefully under
communist rule. In 1944, her family sought refuge in Berlin, Germany
for four weeks. At the young age of six, Lilija vividly recalls
uttering her first words in English to an America soldier at a refugee
camp in Wiesbaden, Germany, ``Thank you for my freedom.'' Lilija's
family dreamed of moving to America--where she could practice faith and
support candidates freely--but at the time, her family had the option
to safely relocate to Australia through the United Nations Relief and
Rehabilitation Administration (UNRAA).
Many years later, Lilija was able to fulfill her dream to come to
America when she married Leonas Grumulaitis. In 1958, the couple
arrived at Ellis Island in New York. The pair would go on to live in
New Jersey, Illinois and Florida before making their permanent home in
Conroe, Texas in 1979. It was in Texas where Lilija would establish a
lifelong legacy of service. Seeing a need for representation, Lilija
helped establish several civic organizations and was an honorary member
of Rotary Club Lake Conroe. With a strong sense of civic duty, she went
on to be a strong supporter of both President Reagan and President
George H.W. Bush. She was entrusted to gather diverse crowds and
encourage others to use their freedom to vote.
One of Lilija's proudest moments was on July 26, 1972--the day she
became a U.S. citizen. For decades after obtaining her citizenship, the
joy of liberty never left her, once stating how inexpressible it was to
see the Statue of Liberty years later. Anyone who knows her, knows she
never failed to take advantage of the opportunity to thank veterans for
her freedom as she had done as a six-year-old in Germany. For years,
she expressed her gratitude through Christmas cards to over 200
veterans each year and was a guardian on two of the Lone Star Honors
Flights. Lilija is a remarkable patriot and example of how we can best
serve our community.
While we mourn with Lilija's family, we also celebrate the life,
service, and legacy that will live throughout our community. I am proud
to join her family, friends, and the Eighth District of Texas in
honoring her life and steadfast devotion to the United States of
America.
____________________
