[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 103 (Friday, July 12, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1266]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           ANOTHER MILESTONE FOR OZALEE PAYNE AND ROSALEE GEE

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                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 11, 1996

  Mr. PAYNE of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, 5 years ago I was proud to 
bring to the attention of my colleagues, the birthday of my aunts 
Ozalee Payne and Rosalee Gee. On Monday, July 15, 1996, they will 
celebrate their 80th birthday.
  The bond that keeps sisters close is a special one. When the twins 
were born 8 decades ago in what is now Monticello, FL, their two older 
sisters, Laura and Sallie, took care of them while their mother 
recuperated. Laura took care of Rosie, while Sallie was in charge of 
Ozie. Until my Aunt Laura was moved to a nursing home a few years ago, 
all of the sisters lived in their own apartments in the same building 
in Newark, NJ. They were always close enough to help each other and 
enjoy each other's company, yet distant enough to lead their separate 
lives and enjoy their own interests.
  The protection and nurturing they showed each other extended to those 
of my generation. My mother, Norma Garrett Payne, died when my sister 
(Kathryn), my brother (William), and I were small children. As you can 
imagine, our mother's death was devastating to us. Our father's job 
prevented him from being with us as much as he felt he needed to be. To 
solve some of the problems, my brother and I went to live with Aunt 
Rosie and our late Uncle Richard while our sister lived with Aunt 
Sallie and our late Uncle William. We were eventually brought 
together--our grandparents, the late William and Ollie Payne Williams, 
bought a three-family house and the families moved together. It was 
during these times that our grandmother and aunts had the greatest 
impact on our value system. We had a Christian upbringing and were 
taught to take care of and respect each other. Our late father, William 
E. Payne, was ever grateful for their help. When my wife, Hazel, died 
when our children were small, the cycle repeated itself. I had the help 
of my brother and sister and aunts in protecting, nurturing, and 
teaching values to my son, Donald, Jr., and my daughter, Wanda. I am 
ever grateful to them.
  Mr. Speaker, a loving and supportive family is wonderful. This 
weekend our family is gathering to celebrate the birthday of our aunts. 
As we count our blessings for still having them in our lives, I am sure 
my colleagues will want to join us as we say ``Happy Birthday Aunt Ozie 
and Aunt Rosie''.

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