[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 154 (Thursday, November 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING MATTIE SHARKEY, OF SIKESTON, MISSOURI, ON HER 
               RECOGNITION BY THE ``DAUGHTERS OF SUNSET''

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JO ANN EMERSON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 4, 1999

  Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, November 13, 1999, Mattie 
Sharkey is being honored by the Sikeston, MO, ``Daughters of Sunset'' 
at their 15th Annual Recognition Program. I would like to extend my 
congratulations to Mattie who has shown a life-long commitment to her 
family, her community and her church.
  Mattie is the daughter of the late John and Eliza Ross. She was born 
in Grenada, MS, on December 21, 1900. She grew up on a farm and her 
education was limited to the 4th grade because she had to work in the 
fields. She has two sisters and one brother.
  In 1924, Mattie moved to Swan Lake, MS. There she married Nathaniel 
Sharkey, and they are the parents of five girls. In 1929, the family 
moved to Portageville, MO. They purchased a farm located on River Road 
near Point Pleasant. In 1936, Mattie's husband passed away. Mattie 
continued to live and work on the River Road farm with her children. 
The girls attended school and went to high school in New Madrid, MO. 
After the girls left home, Mattie moved to the town of Portageville, 
where she was active at Zion Rock Baptist Church. Mattie also has been 
active in her community as a member of the NAACP and the 4-H Club and 
as a volunteer at the community center where she worked with girls.
  Mattie's daughters have made sure that she has had an opportunity to 
travel. Some of the places she has traveled include Hawaii, Bahamas 
Island, California, Mexico, Canada, Niagara Falls, New York and 
Chicago. Mattie currently lives in Sikeston, MO with her daughter, 
Eliza Strickland.
  Congratulations Mattie, on your recognition by the ``Daughters of 
Sunset.'' May you, your loved ones, and the people of Sikeston continue 
to be blessed with your thoughtful dedication to family and community.

                          ____________________