[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 56 (Thursday, May 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E803-E804]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ED AND JERRY WATSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 7, 1998

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleague Gene 
Green in congratulating Ed and Jerry Watson of Deer Park, Texas, as 
they celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on May 7, 1998. 
Throughout their lives, Ed and Jerry have provided tremendous examples 
of public service, contributing unselfishly to numerous causes while 
raising a fine family.
  Both Ed and Jerry are native Texans who have an abiding love for 
their state and community.
  Ed was born in ``Pole Cat Ridge,'' Wallisville, Texas, on July 20, 
1920. He graduated from Anahuac High School in 1939 and joined the U.S. 
Navy in 1942. After his service in World War II, he attended the 
University of Houston until he went to work in 1946 at Shell Oil 
Refinery in Deer Park.
  Jerry was born in Saratoga, Texas, on September 30, 1923. She was 
named Susan Geraldine Eaves, but was called Jerry as her parents had 
hoped for a boy. Jerry graduated from Kilgore High School in 1941 and 
was working in Houston when she and Ed met. Jerry's parents were living 
in Hankamer (near Anahuac) when her younger sister asked Ed to give her 
big sister a ride back to Houston. The rest, as they say, is history.
  They were married on May 7, 1948 at the Lawndale Baptist Church in 
Houston. Shortly after, Ed was called back into service during the 
Korean Conflict in 1950 for 15 months. In 1954, having outgrown their 
home in Pasadena, the Watsons and their four children moved to Deer 
Park. In March 1955, they became members of the First Baptist Church of 
Deer Park. At the time, the church was still meeting in the old wooden 
buildings on Sixth Street. Jerry recalls many Vacation Bible Schools in 
which she helped and the children participated.
  Ed has been involved in politics and community affairs since 1947. He 
is a 50-year

[[Page E804]]

member of the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers International Union, 
and he was serving as President of Local 4-367 when elected in 1972 as 
a member of the Texas House of Representatives, a position in which he 
served for 8 terms. In the Texas Legislature, Ed was a leader on issues 
of law enforcement, education, environmental protection, and creating 
economic opportunity, and he served several terms as Chairman of the 
Harris County Delegation. Currently he is a Community Liaison on my 
congressional staff in Pasadena and Deer Park, Texas.
  Ed is a charter member of the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce and a 
charter member of the Lions Club. He served fourteen years as a 
volunteer fireman and is now one of six honorary members. He has been 
actively involved in the Wheel House, a 30-day alcohol rehabilitation 
facility, since 1954 and serves on their board of directors. Ed visits 
daily, reaching out to the residents, solving problems when they arise, 
and funding.
  Ed also serves on the board of directors of the Interfaith Helping 
Hands Ministry. He also volunteers his time at First Baptist Church, 
serving on the Benevolence Committee and reaching out to people not 
only in the church, but in the community as well. Because of his caring 
ways, Ed was named Deer Park Citizen of the Year in 1987.
  Jerry's achievements are also impressive. In 1961 Jerry went to work 
for the Registrar of San Jacinto College. In 1963 the College began 
teaching about computer science, and Jerry began taking classes and 
working on the college information system. During some semesters, she 
was taking a class, working, and teaching a key-punching class after 
work. During this time, she and three of her children were all enrolled 
in college. Jerry received her Certificate Technology Degree in 
Computer Science the same night her younger son received his A.A. 
Degree in Computer Science. She retired from San Jacinto College in 
1982.
  Jerry was one of the earliest members of the Deer Park Ladies Civic 
Club and assisted in preparing the first Deep Park telephone book to be 
published. With Ed, Jerry also works with the Interfaith Helping Hands 
Ministry and she has served on the Bereavement Committee at First 
Baptist Church many times.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Ed and Jerry Watson on the 
occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary and commend them on a 
lifetime of achievement. Their commitment not only to one another, but 
to others as well, is an example for all of us. May the coming years 
bring good health, happiness, and time to enjoy their eight grandsons, 
one granddaughter, and one great grandson. On this joyous occasion, I 
am pleased to join their family, friends, and community in saying 
congratulations and thank you.

                          ____________________