[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 109 (Friday, June 30, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1394-E1395]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                A GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY FOR A GOLDEN COUPLE

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 30, 1995
  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, next Friday, July 7, the friends and family 
of Herb and Helen 

[[Page E1395]]
Schmidt will gather to help this wonderful couple celebrate their 50th 
anniversary of their marriage. And it runs in the family. Both Herb and 
Helen witnessed their parents celebrate their 50th anniversaries, and 
Herb saw his grandparents celebrate their 50th anniversary. This family 
tradition is so wonderful that it deserves to be trumpeted to all who 
can hear.
  Any marriage that lasts so long must be the result of good 
communications, and that should be no surprise in this family since 
Herb Schmidt was a major voice for Michigan farm radio shows for many 
years. He got his start in radio from Bob Driscoll in a 1964 interview, 
and then later became the Farm Show Director at WBCM radio in Bay City. 
He also during his radio career held the microphone at WXOX. For about 
three decades Michigan farmers had the good fortune to have clear, 
concise, accurate farm news reports from award-winning broadcaster Herb 
Schmidt.
  Herb also has been and continues to be involved with the Michigan 
Farm Bureau, where he has served as the Bay County Farm Bureau 
president. He still is heavily involved in a program that helps 
businessmen become familiar with farm operations so that there can be 
greater understanding and cooperation throughout the area. Helen was 
also chairperson of Bay County Farm Bureau Women, and cohosted various 
farm tours, including for international visitors, with Herb.
  And even with all of these activities, Herb has maintained his 
interest in raising exotic birds, including peacocks and guinea hens. 
Visitors to his farm have told me of how wonderful this project has 
been for so long.
  Through this all, Herb has had the essential support of his wife 
Helen. It can be tough living with a popular figure like Herb, and it 
is even more challenging when there are also seven children in the 
house to add to the daily delights. Their children are their pride and 
joy, and only the 16 grandchildren that have been added could make the 
situation any better. Helen has also been involved in many community 
activities, most importantly her church, as a leader and Sunday school 
teacher.
  Mr. Speaker, I am fortunate to know Herb and Helen Schmidt, as are 
their many other friends. I ask you and all of our colleagues to join 
me in wishing them the happiest 50th anniversary.