[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 6 (Wednesday, February 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E93]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    TRIBUTE TO DR. AND MRS. ZERZAN ON THEIR 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ROBERT SMITH

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 4, 1998

  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an 
outstanding achievement of two of my fellow Oregonians, Dr. Charles and 
Mrs. Joan Zerzan of Milwaukie, Dr. and Mrs. Zerzan will be celebrating 
their 50th wedding anniversary on February 7, 1998, and I believe this 
body would be remiss in not taking note of this accomplishment.
  Dr. and Mrs. Zerzan met while attending college at Willamette 
University in Salem, Oregon. Dr. Zerzan was a veteran of the United 
States Army, having fought for our country in the China-Burma-India 
campaign in an effort to free those nations from the Imperial Army of 
Japan. Mrs. Zerzan, known at that time as Joanie Kathan, was an 
outstanding violinist from Rogue River, Oregon. Her talents as a 
violinist won her a scholarship to Willamette. The two met when Dr. 
Zerzan was running for President of his class, and Mrs. Zerzan was 
running for Secretary. Although both lost their respective races, they 
won something more important: each other's hearts. The two were married 
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Dr. Zerzan was attending medical school 
at Marquette University.
  Upon graduating from medical school, Dr. Zerzan re-enlisted in the 
Army. The Zerzans were stationed all over America, including here in 
Washington at Walter Reed Army Hospital. Somehow they found the time to 
have 12 children, four daughters and eight sons, who in turn have given 
Dr. and Mrs. Zerzan 29 healthy, happy grandchildren. Dr. Zerzan retired 
from the Army with the rank of Lt. Colonel in 1968, and the entire 
family moved back home to Oregon.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. and Mrs. Zerzan's accomplishment would be notable 
enough for its longevity. But, for the reasons I have outlined above, 
and for countless others that time will not permit me here to mention, 
their accomplishment serves as an example to future generations of the 
awe-inspiring power of love. Strong families are truly the bulwark of 
this nation, and it is individuals like Dr. and Mrs. Zerzan whose 
dedication to one another, and to America, give this nation its 
greatest strength. Mr. Speaker, I know that you and this entire body 
join me in saying to Dr. and Mrs. Zerzan, congratulations on your 50 
years together, and thank you for the example you have set. St. Paul 
said long ago, ``in the end there abideth faith, hope and love, these 
three; and the greatest of these is love.'' Dr. and Mrs. Zerzan, long 
driven by these words, have once again proven their enduring wisdom.

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