[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 43 (Monday, April 14, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S3133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IVA MAE DECKER'S 105TH BIRTHDAY

 Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Iva 
Mae Decker, a Vermonter and very special woman who is celebrating her 
105th birthday today.
  Iva Mae Decker was born in Montpelier, VT, on April 14, 1892. Ask Iva 
Mae what the secret to her longevity is and she will answer: ``Just 
keep on moving.''
  Iva Mae lives at home with her daughter, Beverly, and appreciates the 
support she receives from her friends in the community. She is a 
shining example that independence need not be lost due to age. Beverly 
says of her mother, ``She remembers the past, lives in the present, and 
looks forward to the future.''
  Iva has a genuine concern and warmth for others, as the children of 
the Proctor Elementary School will attest. In 1992, during the annual 
Count to 100 Day, Iva visited the first graders in Proctor, VT. Five 
years later, Iva continues to encourage these children to read and 
write through correspondence and poetry.
  To celebrate her 103d birthday, Iva took a hot air balloon ride. A 
surprise 104th birthday present provided by many friends, family and 
local businesses fulfilled Iva's life-long dream of riding the cable 
cars in San Francisco. She had a tremendous trip.
  Last week, Iva had planned to celebrate her 105th birthday by 
visiting Washington, DC to tour the city and share her thoughts on 
Government with her congressional Representatives. However, the flu 
forced her to postpone her plans for the moment. A birthday celebration 
will be held instead in her home today. Among the many officials 
attending will be Rutland's mayor who will present a Rutland city 
proclamation in her honor.
  I would like to join Iva Mae's many family and friends in wishing her 
a very happy birthday. Her longevity and zest for life is an 
inspiration to us all.

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