Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Beryle R. Read, a resident of my Fifth Congressional District of Florida and a man who has become something very few of us ever will. In November of this year, Mr. Read will become a centenarian and at nearly 100, he is a father to one child, and a grandfather to three grandchildren.

Mr. Read was born in Nashville, TN, but went to school in Indiana, Illinois and Washington, DC. Following school, he worked for the government for 32\1/2\ years. He describes his happiest moment as going with his father to sell peaches in Indiana as a child. His favorite activities today are helping his wife cook, reading, and doing crossword puzzles.

Mr. Read says he likes living in Hernando County because it has a small town feel but a close proximity to valuable services and stores. When asked what advice he'd give to young people today he said, ``Avoid dirt, debt and the devil.'' He says the best thing about growing older is having 39 years of mental and physical health to enjoy retirement.

Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues, I ask that you join me in honoring Beryle Read today. I hope we all have the good fortune to live as long as he has and the ability to enjoy it as he has. He is truly a great man and someone with an appreciation for the importance of hard work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Marie O'Brien, a resident of my Fifth Congressional District of Florida and a woman who has become something very few of us ever will. Mrs. O'Brien is a centenarian and at 102 she is a shining example of how to enjoy and appreciate life.

Mrs. O'Brien was born in Philadelphia and went to school at St. Gabriel. Following school, she worked as a telephone operator. She describes her happiest moments as family gatherings growing up and receiving the sacraments. Some of her favorite activities today are reading and praying the rosary.

After 102 years, Mrs. O'Brien says she is satisfied with her life and that it has been a pleasure. When asked what advice she'd give to young people she said, ``Stay away from drugs and be kind.'' She says the best thing about growing older is having time to relax and appreciate the gifts God has given her.

Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues, I ask that you join me in honoring Marie O'Brien today. I hope we all have the good fortune to live as long as she has. She is truly a great lady and someone with an appreciation for the importance of kindness and kinship.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Margaret Davis, a resident of my Fifth Congressional District of Florida and a woman who has become something very few of us ever will. Margaret is almost a centenarian and at 99 she is a mother to 2 daughters, a grandmother to 5, a great-grandmother to 8, and a great, great grandmother to 9.

Mrs. Davis was born in New York City, but went to school in a schoolhouse in Stamford, Connecticut, on Long Ridge Road. She describes her happiest moments as when her daughters were married. One of her favorite activities today is crossword puzzles with friends.

After 99 years, Margaret says she wouldn't change anything about her life. When asked what advice she'd give to young people she says, ``listen to your parents.'' She says the best thing about growing older is people are very kind because of her age.

Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues, I ask that you join me in honoring Margaret Davis today. I hope we all have the good fortune to live as long as she has. She is truly a great lady and someone with an appreciation for the importance of family and time with friends.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Georgia Tompkins, a resident of my Fifth Congressional District of Florida and a woman who has become something very few of us ever will. On March 29th of this year, Mrs. Tompkins will become a centenarian and at nearly 100 she is a mother to 12 children, a grandmother to 32 grandchildren, and a great-grandmother to 12 great-grandchildren

Mrs. Tompkins was born in New York state and was a housewife. She describes her happiest moments as when each one of her children was born. One of her favorite activities today is playing dominoes.

After almost 100 years, Mrs. Tompkins says she would not change a thing about her life if she had to live it over. When asked what advice she'd give to young people she said, ``Work hard and go to church.'' She says the best thing about growing older is all of the memories from years past.

Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues, I ask that you join me in honoring Georgia Tompkins today. I hope we all have the good fortune to live as long as she has and the ability to live and love as she has. She is truly a great lady and someone with an appreciation for the importance of family and friends.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Elsa F. Anderson, a resident of my fifth congressional district of Florida and a woman who has become something very few of us ever will. Elsa Anderson is a centenarian and at 102 she is a mother to 2, a grandmother to 2 grandchildren and a great-grandmother to 11 great- grandchildren.

Mrs. Anderson was born in Stockholm, Sweden, but went to school in New York City. Following school, she worked as an assistant in a specialty shop, in an office and as a housewife. Obviously a dedicated mother, she describes her happiest moments as the births of her two daughters. To this day one of her favorite activities is spending time with them when they come to visit.

After 102 years, Mrs. Anderson says she wouldn't change a thing about her life--she says she enjoys everything she's been given. When asked what advice she'd give to young people she says, ``Work hard, be honest, and be ready to enjoy good things.'' She says the best thing about growing older is that people respect you.

I respect that candor and I'm proud to be her representative in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues, I ask that you join me in honoring Elsa F. Anderson today. I hope we all have the good fortune to live as long as she has and the ability to impart wisdom as eloquently as she has. She is truly a great lady and someone with an appreciation for the importance of friends, family and happiness.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Myra Mack, a resident of my Fifth Congressional District of Florida and a woman who has become something very few of us ever will. Mrs. Mack is a centenarian and at 101 has lived a full life.

Myra was born in London, Ontario and attended St. George's School. She left school to attend the Army, but joined the women volunteer services instead. She worked as a telephone operator. Following school, she worked as a box girl in a dry goods store. Myra said the happiest event in her life was when she married her husband Joseph. She is most proud of her eighty plus trophies she won over the years in dance competitions.

After 101 years, Myra says she enjoys sitting on her front porch and doing her sewing. Her best advice for young people is to enjoy themselves and play while they are young.

Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues, I ask that you join me in honoring Myra Mack today. I hope we all have the good fortune to live as long as she has. She is truly a great lady and someone with an appreciation for the importance of friends and neighbors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor William J. Anderson, a resident of my Fifth Congressional District of Florida and a man who has become something very few of us ever will. William Anderson is a centenarian and at 101 years old he is a father to one child, a grandfather to four grandchildren and a great- grandfather to three great-grandchildren!

Mr. Anderson was born in Boston but went to school in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Following school, he became a teacher. He describes his happiest moment as the birth of his son and most fondly remembers his childhood summers in Prince Edward Island.

After 101 years, Mr. Anderson says if he had it all to do over again, he'd like to work for the government--maybe even the IRS! When asked what advice he'd give to young people he said he'd tell them to work hard, stay out of trouble and drive safely. He says the best thing about growing older is the freedom to do what you want to and the time to travel.

Mr. Speaker, and my Colleagues, I ask that you join me in honoring William Anderson today. I hope we all have the good fortune to live as long as he has. He is truly a great man and someone with an appreciation for the importance of happiness and freedom.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Hattie Hall, a resident of my Fifth Congressional District of Florida and a woman who has become something very few of us ever will. Mrs. Hall is a centenarian and at 101 she is a mother to 5 sons, a grandmother to 10 grandchildren, and a great-grandmother to 19 and has 3 great, great-grandchildren!

Hattie was born in Savannah, Georgia and went to school at Savannah State College. Following school, she worked as a school teacher and a nurses' aid. She describes her happiest moments as going shopping with her uncle, her mother and her brother. One of her favorite activities is painting pictures.

After 101 years, Hattie says she only wished she had learned to paint at a younger age. When asked what advice she'd give to young people she says, ``always do the right thing and remember to pray.'' She says the best thing about growing older is having a good son to take care of her.

Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues, I ask that you join me in honoring Hattie Hall today. I hope we all have the good fortune to live as long as she has. She is truly a great lady and someone with an appreciation for the importance of family and friends.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rose Dergin, a resident of my Fifth Congressional District of Florida and a woman who has become something very few of us ever will. Mrs. Dergin is a centenarian and at 101 she is a mother to one child, a grandmother to three grandchildren, and a greatgrandmother to five great-grandchildren!

Mrs. Dergin was born in New York City but went to School in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. At 17 she worked as a long distance telephone operator and following school, she worked as a bookbinder. She describes her happiest moment as her wedding day. Today

one of her favorite activities is playing cards until her eyes hurt!

After 101 years, Mrs. Dergin says if she had to live life all over again, she'd love to be a sketch artist, a hobby she had to give up in order to support her family. When asked what advice she'd give to young people she said, ``Listen to your parents.'' She says the best thing about growing older is having her family around.

Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues, I ask that you join me in honoring Rose Dergin today. I hope we all have the good fortune to live as long as she has. She is truly a great lady and someone with an appreciation for the importance of family and closeness.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a very heavy heart that I rise today to express the condolences of a grateful Nation. I rise today so that this Nation will not forget the service and sacrifice of those fallen heroes who fight to keep us free. I rise today because a Black Hawk helicopter was shot down over Iraq; and Chief Warrant Officer Aaron Weaver,

one of our Nation's finest, died in the crash.

Aaron Weaver was a husband, a father, a brother, and a son; but he was also a fighter. In Iraq, Aaron was fighting to protect our country's way of life while fighting for his own life as well. You see, Aaron Weaver was a cancer survivor. He was still being treated when his unit was called to duty in Iraq. Aaron had a choice to stay, but he elected to fight for the country that he loved. Aaron was on the way to have his blood tested for cancer when the Black Hawk he was riding in was shot down, killing all on board.

We know well our freedom could not have been won nor our liberty maintained without those willing to make this ultimate sacrifice. But I know these are weak words to the grieving family left behind. I pray the Lord will maintain their memory of Aaron and assuage their pain. Aaron survived the battles in Mogadishu, he fought cancer, and was engaged in a great and noble cause in Iraq. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring a true American hero.

Last Saturday, I attended services for Aaron. He lived in Citrus County, and his father still resides there. The whole family was there. They are a military family, a very, very devoted military family, and a very close family who all grieved the loss of Aaron. I would like to paraphrase his widow's comments. His widow is Nancy Weaver, and she made a comment that Aaron's life, the loss of his life, will not be in vain if children in America can live safely; if his children and every other child in America can live without fear of another attack like 9- 11.

Mr. Speaker, Aaron Weaver truly was a modern American hero, and we are grateful for his service and the service of all the men and women who are serving our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Private William Schaub, a World War I veteran from New York. His son lives in XXX.

This Veterans' Day, I will have the pleasure of recognizing Private Schaub for his heroism and bravery as a United States Soldier who fought in the First World War. He was sent to the battle fields in Europe and fought in the major battles of St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Essey-Pannes.

There are few among us who can recall the horrors of this war to end all wars that scarred an entire generation. One of the deadly innovations that typified the battles fought by our soldiers was the use of poisons gas. Mustard, Sarin, and Chlorine Gas were used offensively to debilitate Allied Troops.

Often troops were not adequately supplied with gas masks to protect them from this poison. Indeed an improvised method was developed by our troops to protect those without masks. Taking advantage of naturally occurring ammonia, troops tied handkerchiefs over their face to destabilize the fumes.

Such method was employed by Private Schaub in a Mustard Gas attack on his division. He was treated for Bronchitis, gas exposure and sinus conditions and honorably discharged on April 15, 1919.

I will present Private Schaub's son with the Purple Heart, the oldest military decoration in the world, more than 80 years overdue.

Though he earned this honor, he never received it from the Defense Department and I am pleased to have the opportunity to present to his family the Purple Heart for his selfless devotion to duty and service to the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Staff Sgt. John L. Folsom, a Korean War veteran from Lady Lake, Florida in my Fifth Congressional District.

On Sunday, November 2nd, I had the pleasure of recognizing Staff Sgt. Folsom for his heroism and bravery as a United States Soldier who fought in the Korean War from January 1951 to February 1954. He continued his service to the Nation for 10 years after the conclusion of the Korean War, retiring in November 1964, having achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-6).

On February 5, 1953 Staff Sgt. Folsom was wounded in his right leg by a sniper attack as his unit was ``digging in'' at the top of a hill in Seoul.

I will present Staff Sgt. Folsom with the Purple Heart, the oldest military decoration in the world, 50 years overdue.

Though he earned this honor, he never received it from the Defense Department and I am honored to have the opportunity to present to him the Purple Heart for his selfless devotion to duty and service to the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rose Pellgrin, a dedicated, loving mother in my Fifth Congressional District of Florida. At 91 years old, Rose continues to be a shining example of devotion and selflessness for mothers young and old.

In 1949 at the age of 40, Rose Pellgrin became a mother to a baby girl she named Marian. Unfortunately Marian was born with a mental disability and Rose was advised that she would not live very long. Her doctors even told her to have another child and to not worry about Marian.

Rose insisted that she would raise Marian and did just that. She raised Marian despite several obstacles. When her husband's affliction with cancer forced the family to move from her native New York to central Florida, Rose learned that there was no school in the area for mentally disabled children. She then had to drive Marian to a school at the Key Training Center, nearly an hour away.

When her husband's cancer finally took his life, Rose had to make the difficult decision to place Marian at the Key Training Center to live and return to teaching, retiring at the age of 82.

Years later a nephew of Rose's who had a fondness for Marian died and left his inheritance to the women. Rose took the inheritance and bought a house with it. The house, which will become a licensed group home, will be maintained by the Key Training Center as one of its own group homes. This made it possible for Marian, and two other disabled adults, to have a place to live.

Mr. Speaker, with this act Rose Pellgrin made an incredible donation to the Key Center and to her daughter. What's more amazing is that she views it as nothing special, but as what mothers do for their children.

I am honored to be her representative in Congress and want to take a moment before this body today to call attention to her sacrifice and devotion to her daughter. We should all be so lucky as to have a mother like Rose.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sgt. LaVon C. Hove, a Korean war veteran from Brooksville, FL, in my fifth congressional district.

This Veterans Day, I will have the pleasure of recognizing Sgt. LaVon Hove for his heroism and bravery as a United States soldier who fought in the Korean war from January 16, 1951 to August 1952.

This conflict enlisted the services of 6.8 million American men and women between 1950 and 1955.

On January 16, 1951 in Chorwon, Korea, Sgt. Hove was wounded in both legs and feet by shell fragments from a nearby explosion.

I will soon present Sgt. Hove with the Purple Heart, the oldest military decoration in the world, 50 years overdue.

Though he earned this honor, he never received it from the Defense Department and I am honored to have the opportunity to present to him the Purple Heart for his selfless devotion to duty and service to the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Kenneth Bradshaw, Jr., a Korean War veteran from Inverness, Florida in my Fifth Congressional District.

I had the pleasure of recognizing Private Bradshaw for his heroism and bravery as a soldier who fought in the Korean War from January 8, 1948 until April 30, 1952 when he received a permanent disability retirement as a private first class.

On February 6, 1951, Bradshaw's Company was engaged in a fierce battle with the Chinese Army in South Korea just below the 38th parallel. He was wounded in his right arm by a shot fired by an enemy soldier.

Bradshaw was treated at two different field hospitals before being evacuated to a hospital in Japan. Shrapnel was also discovered lodged in his back.

I recently presented Private Bradshaw with the Purple Heart, the oldest military decoration in the world, more than 50 years overdue.

Though he earned this distinction, he never received it from the Defense Department and I am honored to have the opportunity to present to him the Purple Heart for his selfless devotion to duty and service to the United States.