In Honor Of The Birthday Of Mrs. Helen Gingrey
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take my time this evening to address the House regarding a very important person, someone who has meant so much to me and without whom undoubtedly I would not be here today. Mrs. Helen Gingrey turned 85 last…
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take my time this evening to address the House regarding a very important person, someone who has meant so much to me and without whom undoubtedly I would not be here today. Mrs. Helen Gingrey turned 85 last Saturday, February 8, 2003.
Mr. Speaker, I know that you and Members of the House of Representatives will want to join me tonight in saying, Happy Birthday, Mom.
It is important in this day and age for children to grow up in a strong family environment like the one my parents provided for me. I would hope that as I embark on my tenure here, representing the 11th Congressional District of Georgia, that my colleagues and I would always keep an eye on how our actions will affect the American families who are struggling to stay together and to make ends meet.
My mother has had a great life and has been a blessing to both her community and to her family. She is the daughter of Irish and Scotch immigrants. She was born in New York City in 1918. She grew up in Astoria of the Queens Borough. She married my dad when she was 19 years old. He was a native of South Carolina and had come to New York at age 16 in near poverty with little means of support. Shortly after their marriage, they moved back to South Carolina, to Edgefield, the birthplace of Senator Strom Thurmond, and began to raise their family, me and my two brothers.
My dad died 22 years ago. My mom and dad were high school graduates who worked hard in one small business after another. They never had the opportunity to go to college, but they struggled to make sure that their three sons; my brother Bill, my brother James and myself, attended college. The ideals my parents instilled in us are the ones of hard work, good education, personal responsibility, respect for others, love of family and love of country. These are not only good principles for rearing children, but also good guidelines for the initiatives we will work on here in this 108th Congress.
Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to use the example and the principles of Mrs. Helen Gingrey and all loving mothers like her to set an agenda that will work to strengthen and support the most vital component of our great Nation, the American family.