[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 139 (Friday, September 8, 1995)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1747-E1748] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO ELENA BASKIN ______ HON. SAM FARR of california in the house of representatives Friday, September 8, 1995 Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Elena Baskin, a wonderful woman, a prominent philanthropist, and a dear friend and constituent of mine who passed away Monday morning. Her humble beginnings in Kishinev, Romania, where she was poor and often went hungry, ingrained in her the desire to share her good fortune with others. Mrs. Baskin and her husband Jack Baskin have played a prominent role in the organization and funding of services for the elderly, the poor, women, children, education, and the arts. Her acts of kindness and giving will live on in the community and in the hearts of all who knew her. Born Elena Djatschenko on December 1, 1925, she lived without plumbing or electricity. Mrs. Baskin's parents were Russian and her father worked as a typesetter. The family moved to Chernovitz, now part of Ukraine, in 1935, where they resided until the outbreak of war in the region. They fled to Germany where Mrs. Baskin worked as a secretary with the U.S. Army in Berlin. In 1948, she immigrated to the United States and began work at Stanford University in the Hoover Library. Elena subsequently married Paul Baran and had a son, Nicholas. She graduated from Stanford in 1960 with a master's degree and taught Russian at Gunn High School in Palo Alto when she met Jack Baskin. They were married in 1976. Mr. Baskin became a successful developer, and Mr. and Mrs. Baskin went on to share their good fortune with others. Mr. Baskin has said that perhaps his wife's proudest accomplishment was the founding of the Live Oak Senior Center in Santa Cruz. The center opened in 1977 and serves about [[Page E 1748]] 1,000 meals a day. She was also instrumental in establishing the Battered Women's Assistance Program, the Mondanaro-Baskin Center for Women and Children, the Schools Plus public schools matching-funds program and the Cabrillo College of Child Care Center. The Baskin name can be found on numerous buildings, endowments, programs, and contributions throughout the region. For many years Mrs. Baskin served on the Santa Cruz County Seniors Commission and contributed to Stanford University and U.C. Santa Cruz, where a computer engineering center and student art studios proudly carry the Baskin name. Mr. and Mrs. Baskin were named Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce Woman and Man of the Year in 1986. Mrs. Baskin remained active in her later years. Enthralled by ballroom dancing and ice skating, she also continued to skate and ice dance several times a week. Mrs. Baskin was diagnosed with cancer just 3\1/2\ weeks before she passed away. She chose to refuse treatment, wishing quality time with her family, rather than quantity. She is survived by her husband, Jack Baskin of Santa Cruz; her mother, Valentina Djatschenko of Santa Cruz; her son, Nicholas Baran of Sandpoint, ID; two stepdaughters, Elaine Baskin of Palo Alto and Marianne Gabriel of Watsonville; two grandchildren; and four step grandchildren. While Mrs. Elena Baskin will be greatly missed by those who knew her, her acts will continue to be an inspiration to us all. ____________________