[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 23, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E58]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    ``PAPA JACK'' THOMPSON, THE ONGOING HISTORY OF A GREAT AMERICAN

                                 ______


                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 23, 1996

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and honor that I 
rise to share the news of a most important milestone in the life of an 
extraordinary American. Today Mr. Lawrence Thompson--known better to 
his grandkids as ``Papa Jack''--turns 109 years old. By spending his 
birthday at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, Papa Jack has become the oldest 
first-time visitor to that famous place of eternal youth.
  To know Papa Jack is to know a slice of American history. His father 
was a doctor for the King and Queen of Hawaii when he was born in '87--
1887, that is. He watched the first steamboats arrive around the 
Hawaiian Islands and sent clothing to a far-off place called San 
Francisco after hearing that a terrible earthquake had devasted the 
city. He later moved to San Francisco and then south to Los Angeles. A 
proud American and a great patriot, he continues to salute every 
American flag that he happens upon.
  Papa Jack later moved on to Rancho Bernardo in north San Diego 
County, where he was the area's lawnbowling champion at 99 years young. 
I am proud to say that I serve as this fine American's Representative 
in Congress.
  At 1 p.m. today, Papa Jack becomes a kid again at the Magic Kingdom 
during a special birthday celebration. Let us all join the good people 
at Disneyland as well as Papa Jack's son, his grandchildren and their 
children on this special day to commend an inspiring example of a 
citizen and his lasting love for the United States of America.

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