[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 150 (Tuesday, October 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO ADA HESS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 1998

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to say goodbye to a dear 
friend, Ada Hess of El Centro, California. Ada passed away this past 
summer and I would like to take a moment to recognize the friendship 
given to me by such a good and beautiful person.
  Ada was born in Buffalo Gap, Texas and after marrying John Hess in 
1968, she moved to El Centro where she worked as the secretary/
treasurer for their various geological businesses. With a lot of hard 
work and dedication, their businesses grew abroad and Ada and John soon 
became world travelers. Following John's death in 1987, Ada continued 
running these businesses as the sole proprietor for nine more years 
before selling them in 1996.
  When I was a young lawyer starting out during the 1970's, I remember 
how John would always be willing to offer his engineering expertise to 
assist with my cases. My family and I always knew we could stay with 
Ada and John at their home in El Centro where we would often go on 
camping trips to the Colorado River and pan for gold. While my boys and 
I were trying to strike it rich, Ada would be making sure that everyone 
had their shovels, pails and a good lunch. After my election to 
Congress, I always treasured the times when John and Ada would visit me 
in Washington, D.C., somehow we would always end up exploring Northern 
Virginia.
  John and Ada Hess were great advocates of conservative principles and 
the Republican party. At one function, I remember how proud John was to 
show me a bull-moose handkerchief that had been given to his 
grandfather by Teddy Roosevelt. At other times, Ada would often thank 
me for helping her with the opportunity to attend a presidential 
inaugural ball. When I think back upon our fun times together, I 
realize that I am the thankful one, for having John and Ada as friends.

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