[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 42 (Thursday, April 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E637-E638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY WALTER AND MARGARET BARBER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 1997

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, the sanctity of marriage is more precious 
than any other matter in the relations that people have. It is a 
commitment that seems easy to make on the day of the wedding, and more 
priceless to hold on to for each and every additional day.
  Today marks the 50th wedding anniversary of Walter and Margaret 
Barber, two of my constituents who I have the pleasure to know 
personally, and who serve as an inspiration to all of us who treasure 
the value of devotion. They will celebrate this golden anniversary with 
friends and family this Saturday in Auburn, MI.
  Walter Barber served our country as a member of the Army Air Force in 
Europe. After returning and working at Dow Chemical, he was fortunate 
enough to meet Margaret Ida Koch of Bay City. They were married at St. 
Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Auburn, IN, by Pastor Allen 
Trout.
  Their family grew with the addition of two sons, Dennis and David, 
and one daughter, Lynn. They now have eight grandchildren.
  Their civic involvements hold great importance for Walter and 
Margaret Barber. He, with the support and understanding of Margaret, 
had been a longtime member of the

[[Page E638]]

Williams Volunteer Fire Department, an activity that is of great 
importance to the public, and quite honestly frequent risk to the 
volunteer and their families. They are charter members of Grace 
Lutheran Church, and life members of VFW Post 6950 and its auxiliary.
  They have lived very full lives, and continue to try to do more each 
day. It was very touching to have Walter describe for me his great 
love, appreciation, and gratitude for his wife Margaret, for having put 
up with and taking care of him for the last 50 years.
  If we want to praise family values and their importance for young 
people, we need look no further than the lives and commitment of Walter 
and Margaret Barber. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and all of our colleagues 
to join me in wishing them the happiest of anniversaries, and many more 
to come.

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