CMF is pleased to share this Congressional Record tribute of Deborah Szekely, an amazing entrepreneur, philanthropist and visionary. At 90, Deborah is an inspiration to us all, and we are proud to call her a long-time supporter and member of our Board of Directors.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF DEBORAH SZEKELY
Speech of the Honorable Susan A. Davis of California in the House of Representatives
Congressional Record, May 10, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a treasured member of the San Diego community. Deborah Szekely is an extraordinary woman of tenacity and dedication, and on May 3rd she celebrated her 90th birthday.
Deborah is a renowned health and wellness advocate, philanthropist, community leader, and champion for childhood nutrition. At 90 years old, she represents the beauty and energy that comes from a life committed to health and wellness, and she outpaces younger fitness advocates. She truly lives what she teaches. Along with her husband, Edmond Szekely, she founded Rancho la Puerta, a destination spa and wellness center in Baja California, and the Golden Door Spa in Escondido, California. She is committed to helping others prioritize healthy living.
Deborah has worked with my office on initiatives related to educating children about health and nutrition. She is committed to changing the culture of eating and making sure young children understand the importance of healthy food, and the role it plays in wellness. Ever the energetic advocate, on May 3, 2012, her 90th birthday, Deborah launched wellnesspring.org, a grassroots effort to encourage the creation of a culture of wellness throughout the United States. I appreciate her laser focus when it comes to reaching people and educating them about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and eating well.
In addition to her healthy living work, Deborah has served as the president of the Inter-American Foundation, worked with the Organization of American States, and served as principal delegate to the Inter-American Commission on Women. She currently works as the Chairman and Founder of the New Americans Museum in San Diego and serves on the Board of Directors for the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego.
Deborah ran for Congress in 1982, and while she did not win that election, through that process she conceived the idea of Setting Course, a publication of the Congressional Management Foundation which provides guidance on the fundamentals of managing a congressional office. The first edition of Setting Course was published in 1984, and the 12th edition of Setting Course just recently came out. This manual has been an invaluable resource to congressional offices, including my own. Deborah is still a member of the Board of Directors for the Congressional Management Foundation and continues her critical role in the publication of Setting Course.
I truly admire Deborah’s ongoing commitment to helping people of all ages understand the importance of good nutrition, healthy living, and being a force for positive change in their communities.
