[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 130 (Saturday, August 5, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       TRIBUTE TO ED NIEDERMAIER

                                 ______


                            HON. JOHN BRYANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 4, 1995
  Mr. BRYANT. Mr. Speaker, I call this body's attention to the 
anniversary of the birth of one of the truly distinguished residents of 
the Fifth Congressional District of Texas. July 5, marks the 100 
anniversary of the birth of Mr. Ed Niedermaier, who was born during the 
second term of Grover Cleveland's Presidency of these United States and 
who has lived to see the administration of 19 of our 42 heads of state.
  As remarkable as that is, it is one of the lesser feats of this man 
who left home as a teenage boy to serve in the Army in what was then 
referred to as the Great War.
  Ed Niedermaier returned home a man and we in Dallas and Texas have 
been most fortunate that thanks to the love of a young lady, Mr. 
Niedermaier chose to live a large portion of his life among us.
  This first-generation American was called into the Army on February 
22, 1918, first as an infantryman, later transferring to the 55th Corps 
of Engineers while stationed at Chateauroux, 75 miles southwest of 
Paris.
  Back home from the war to end all wars, Mr. Niedermaier moved to 
Oklahoma City, married and began raising a family of three children. 
Tragedy struck in 1939 with the death of his wife. But Ed Niedermaier 
persisted and raised all three.
  Three fine children, he told interviewers at his home at the Buckner 
Baptist Village in Southeast Dallas. When World War II came along, I 
was obligated to take care of my children, so I didn't join the 
service. A 45-year-old widowed father of three wouldn't have been 
expected to fight for his country--for a second time in 23 years--but 
Ed Niedermaier would have expected that of himself, and he would have 
again gone to the defense of our Nation if not for being the sole 
provider for his family of three growing youngsters.
  But his involvement in civic and patriotic projects never waned. Ed 
Niedermaier became commander of the Oklahoma City chapter of the 
Veterans of World War I and held that position until 1966.
  He might still be the Oklahoma City commander today, except for a 
chance meeting in 1966. While attending a regional meeting in Duncan, 
OK, he met the widow of one of his fellow World War I soldiers. Eight 
months later he was married to Louise and they were sharing a home in 
Dallas--with one proviso:
  Louise said she would marry me if, after she retired, I agreed to 
move to Buckner Retirement Village where she had lots of friends.
  After living in their home in Dallas for 17 years, they have been 
together in their retirement home the last 12.
  ``So many older fellers just sit around and let their minds go,'' Mr. 
Niedermaier told Mike Slaughter in an interview for the Buckner Today 
magazine. ``I don't want my mind to leave because I might not be able 
to find it again, so I stay active.''
  Ed Niedermaier has been active for a century now, all to the good of 
his family, friends, neighbors and country. He said, ``There are three 
principles which I live by--faith in God, love of my country, and 
service to my fellow man.''
  I think it is safe to say that everyone in our country who knows Ed 
and Louise Niedermaier, or knows of their work and life together, join 
in wishing him a happy 100th birthday and expressing thanks for a 
century that has made these United States a better home for us all.


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