[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 100 (Tuesday, July 9, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE CHAPMAN REUNION--A FAMILY TRADITION

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                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 9, 1996

  Mr. PAYNE of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, family reunions are an 
important part of our personal histories. During the July 5th weekend, 
the descendants of Lemon and Joanna Chapman gathered in White Hall, MD, 
for their 22d annual family reunion.
  Families are important institutions. They are, so to speak, our 
proving ground. Our first lessons in life are taught and learned in the 
family. It is there that we learn to love, dream, respect, disagree, 
forgive, share, take orders, have faith, along with other life skills. 
The foundation of the family is there when we need it. The stronger and 
more stable the foundation/family the safer and more confident we are 
when we venture.
  We often hear about the destruction of the family and how our young 
people are without family values. Unfortunately, for some, those are 
valid statements but there are many, many strong and caring family 
units in our communities. The Chapman family is one of those strong and 
caring families. I commend the members of this family for recognizing 
the importance of the family, its values, and its history. As a 
society, we must do all we can do to build upon the strength of these 
families to help strengthen the fabric of the Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, the Lemon and Joanna Chapman family has produced many 
fine citizens. I would like to wish them and their friends a healthy, 
happy, safe and prosperous year until they meet again.

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