[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 46 (Thursday, April 23, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E658-E659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              HONORING THE 80TH BIRTHDAY OF JOSEPH GIGUERE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 23, 1998

  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I 
have this opportunity to stand on the floor of this great Chamber and 
acknowledge the celebration and occasion of the 80th Birthday of my 
constituent, Joseph Giguere.
  Mr. Giguere of Southbridge, Massachusetts was born in St. Aimee in 
the Province of Quebec, Canada on March 19, 1918. His early years on 
his family's homestead in the countryside surrounding Montreal 
instilled within him a sense of hard work and determination, and 
loyalty to friends and family. These admirable qualities were carried 
with him when he emigrated to the United States at the age of eleven 
and helped him to persevere and fully acclimate himself to the American 
society that he proudly became a citizen of. His eagerness to learn a 
new language, while still observing and respecting the strong French-
Canadian heritage that had been ingrained in him, enabled him to attain 
an education and skills necessary for trade of a woodscraftsman. Though 
it was the Depression, his father was an entrepreneur and successfully 
started numerous enterprises, including broom factories, butcher shops, 
and woodworking establishments. The skills that Mr. Giguere learned 
allowed for him to always find work to sustain and contribute to his 
family.

[[Page E659]]

  Mr. Giguere married his sweetheart, Dorothy, with whom he celebrated 
a 50th wedding anniversary and each day of their life together. They 
shared a love and friendship that many would envy, as well as the 
blessing of six children and many grand-children and great-
grandchildren. Mr. Giguere and his wife ensured that all of their 
children, Richard, Marguerite, Roland, Therese, Paul, and Michael, were 
raised appreciating the value of education, discipline, and tradition, 
all which they in turn have passed on to their own children. Mr. 
Giguere also extended his good fortune and the warmth of his home to 
members of his community and the parishioners at Notre Dame Church. In 
fact, stories abound of the crowds of neighbors and friends who would 
come to Mr. Giguere's home to watch Milton Berle, Jackie Gleason, and 
Art Carney since he owned the first television in the area. The 
laughter and happiness continues from those nostalgic days, and 
``Pepere'', as he is affectionately referred to by his grandchildren 
and great-grandchildren, is always there to extend a helping hand or a 
listening ear and his own perspective and encouragement. It is a great 
pleasure to acknowledge Mr. Giguere today on the occasion of his 80th 
birthday. May he have many more happy and healthy years ahead of him.

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