HONORING RITA SEMEL

On 2026-05-14, Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING RITA SEMEL" in the House.

HONORING RITA SEMEL

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026)] [House] [Page H3468] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING RITA SEMEL (Ms. PELOSI asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, sadly, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Rita Semel, whose passing yesterday at the age of 104 is a profound loss for San Francisco and for all who believe in the power of dialogue, understanding, and justice. For decades, Rita was one of the great moral forces of our community, bringing people together of different faiths, backgrounds, and perspectives in pursuit of peace, dignity, and respect for all of God's children. Through her extraordinary leadership of the San Francisco Interfaith Council, and working with Michael Pappas, who is the executive director she respected so much, and whose birthday is today--she left us yesterday; his birthday is today. Across countless civic and charitable causes, Rita helped make our city more compassionate, more united, and more hopeful. Paul and I and our entire family--especially our daughter Christine, who was very close to Rita--send our sympathies to Rita's daughter, Elizabeth, for enabling her mother to be a force in our community for over 100 years. Mr. Speaker, we join so many in mourning Rita's passing and celebrating her remarkable life and legacy. May Rita's memory be a blessing. May she rest in peace. ____________________