[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 48 (Wednesday, April 4, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3434-S3435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARY SAMSON LEFEVRE

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, today is a special day in our 
office. We are joining our science fellow, Russ Lefevre, in celebrating 
the 99th birthday of his mother, Mary Samson Lefevre. She was born on 
April 4, 1902 and lived on a farm in North Dakota for her early years. 
Her parents were second generation French-Canadian immigrants, and she 
was one of eight children. She went to grade school at a Catholic 
elementary school in a small farming community but dropped out of 
school after the 8th grade to help on her parents' farm.
  She married Ernest Lefevre in 1934. They lived in a small town in 
North Dakota. She worked most of her life in a bakery, retiring at age 
74. Mrs. Lefevre lives in a care center in Maplewood, MN near her 
daughter. She is in good health and good spirits, as she participates 
in the many activities in the center. She continues her interest in 
national affairs.

[[Page S3435]]

  While she had to leave school early, as often happened at that time, 
Mrs. Lefevre places great value on education. One of her sources of 
pride is that all three of her children are college graduates. This is 
largely due to her strong encouragement. Russ has a Ph. D. in 
Electrical Engineering. Shirley has a B.S. in Education and teaches in 
the White Bear Lake, MN Elementary Schools. Robert has a Bachelors 
degree in Mathematics and worked in the Software industry for over 35 
years.
  A 99th birthday is a special occasion for her, as well as her family 
and friends. Over the course of her long life, Mrs. Lefevre has seen an 
amazing transition in our country and our culture. Such experience 
brings a wisdom and knowledge that enriches the lives of her loved 
ones.
  Such a celebration is also a chance for each of us to take a moment 
to appreciate our own family and our own family traditions.

                          ____________________