[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MILDRED HESS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JON D. FOX

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 1997

  Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor, a long-
time resident of Pennsylvania's 13th District who died recently at her 
home following a long illness. She was 87 years old.
  I've known Mildred Hess for many years and she was a remarkable 
woman, dedicated to her family, her community, and her Nation. She was 
one of God's Angels on Earth who was known for her selfless spirit, 
positive outlook and love for all. Mildred was a public servant who 
committed herself to making life better for her neighbors. I will miss 
her very much and I share the grief felt by her entire family, 
especially her loving husband Clay, her friends and all the people of 
Montgomery County, PA.
  Mildred Hess was born on December 10, 1909, in Upper Providence 
Township, Montgomery County. The daughter of the late Peter A. and 
Carrie Smith, Mildred Hess graduated in 1927 from the former 
Collegeville High School and entered the Pottstown Homeopathic Hospital 
School of Nursing where she graduated in 1930. She worked briefly as a 
nurse before marrying Clay C. Hess on February 7, 1931. She and Clay 
lived their entire married life on his family's farm in Collegeville, 
PA. True to the historic nature of the community in which she lived, 
Mildred liked to collect antique plates, salt shakers, and glassware 
and she was very proud of her collection.
  Mildred Hess spent most of her life doing the most important job I 
know, raising her family and caring for her children. Occasionally, 
Mildred would assist her husband, Clay, as a clerk in his auctioneering 
business. For Mildred, her husband and family were her first love, her 
vocation, her devotion, and her primary responsibility.
  Mildred Hess was a member of the Providence Church of the Brethren in 
Upper Providence and a 60-year member of Keystone Grange #2 in Trappe. 
She was also a member of the Towne & County Council of Republican 
Women.
  Mr. Speaker, this woman of deep faith and family devotion suffered 
losses in her life and overcame the grief to fulfill her duties to her 
family. She was preceded in death by her loving children, Clark F. Hess 
and Norma Hess Fillman but despite her sorrow, Mildred was able to move 
on because of her devotion to those who lived on and who needed her. 
This loving woman is survived by her devoted husband, Clay, who I am 
proud to say has been a devoted friend and mentor to me for many years. 
Other family members who I join to share in their grief are her 
daughter-in-law, Susan Hess and her son-in-law, Walter Fillman.

  Several generations have shared the love and warmth of Mildred Hess 
and my heart goes out to her grandchildren, Jane Daley, Gretchen Hess, 
Martin Hess, and Matthew Fillman as well as her great-grandchildren 
Gordon, Rachael, Daniel, Alexia, Audrey, and Samuel Fry and Rebecca 
Fillman and Benjamin Hess Daley.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to honor this great woman but I 
do so with a heavy heart. For while Mildred led a long and productive 
life, I know that there was still much she wanted to do. As she did 
with her own children, I know she wanted to share in the joys and 
successes of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
  Montgomery County has lost a great woman, Mr. Speaker, a family 
woman, a mother and care-giver. While it is close to the city of 
Philadelphia, Collegeville is still a small, rural neighborhood of 
close-knit families. The entire community will feel this loss as will 
all of Montgomery County where she and Clay have had such a strong 
influence over the years.
  On a personal note, Mr. Speaker, I am deeply saddened by this loss 
because I feel as though I have lost a member of my own family. As I 
learned the lessons of public service under the guidance of her 
husband, Mildred Hess was always making me feel like part of her 
family. I saw the love she and Clay shared first-hand and it became 
just another of the many lessons I learned from this outstanding and 
gracious couple.
  Mr. Speaker, the community of Collegeville, the congregation of the 
Providence Church of the Brethen, the people of Montgomery County and 
her family will take Mildred to her rest tomorrow, September 24. I 
regret that I can not be there to raise my voice in prayer along with 
the rest of the community but my duties as the Congressman from 
Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District require my presence here on 
Capitol Hill. But I know that Mildred would remind me of my 
responsibilities and my obligation to those I am proud to represent, 
including her family.
  So, Mr. Speaker, I will stand here tomorrow, in the halls of the 
people's House, gratefully providing the representation to which the 
citizens of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District are guaranteed 
by the Constitution of the United States. But my heart will be in 
Collegeville with Mildred and all those who loved her as I did. My 
prayers will be with my friend and mentor, Clay Hess, and the rest of 
Mildred's family. And my thoughts will be on the lessons I learned in 
the Hess household and the wisdom I gained from Mildred. This great 
lady has left her imprint on everyone she knew. As Henry Wadsworth 
Longfellow said in A Psalm of Life. ``The lives of the great remind us, 
we can make our lives sublime. And, departing, leave behind us 
footprints on the sand of time.'' Mildred Hess, Mr. Speaker, has left 
indelible footprints on the lives of many and I am proud to have known 
her.

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