[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 15, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H2152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO GLADYS HARRINGTON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2001, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson) is 
recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to 
what I consider a great American lady, a woman who has witnessed 
firsthand World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the 
invention of television, the microwave, and the World Wide Web.
  On May 29, Gladys Harrington, who is a real friend of mine, a true 
pillar of the Plano, Texas community, is celebrating her 100th 
birthday.
  She has lived an abundant life. She moved to Plano in the early 1900s 
when 1,500 people lived there. Today, Plano is home to 230,000 plus and 
growing.
  She married Fred Harrington in 1919 in Plano, Texas and gave birth to 
two sons, Joe Harrington and Conner Harrington. Conner Harrington 
actually ran for Congress against a Democrat icon, Sam Rayburn, who was 
a friend of mine as well. She is the proud grandma of four children, 
Connie, Cynthia, Mary Lou, and Freddy, as well as two great 
grandchildren, Sage and Emily.
  It is obvious that she has touched the lives of those around her and 
blessed everyone with her passion for life and zest for service. As a 
member of the First Christian Church, she taught Sunday school, led the 
Christian Women Fellowship and served as a deaconess.
  In addition, they helped found what is now the Gladys Harrington 
Library in Plano. What started as a one-room temporary facility has now 
blossomed into one of the leading libraries in the area.
  Mr. Speaker, I may not even be standing here today were it not for 
the hard work and selfless dedication of my dear friend Gladys. I say 
that because Gladys helped me run my first campaign for Congress in 
1991 and every time thereafter.
  Every Republican knows that one cannot do anything Republican in 
Texas without Gladys Harrington. She has volunteered countless hours of 
her time and dollars to help the party rise to the best that it is 
today. Think about it. Every Statewide office in Texas is now 
Republican. The Texan in the White House is even a Republican, too; and 
Gladys helped him as well.
  Gladys helped lay the essential groundwork for the grassroots efforts 
for this amazing fete. She has mobilized ground troops, attended 
conventions, paid her dues and then some.
  In addition to giving her time to the Republican Party, she gives so 
much to those around her. In fact, she continues to go to a book club 
and to the Plano Chamber Orchestra. She keeps scrapbooking, detailing 
the many years behind her and saving room for more to come.
  I think America needs more good people like Gladys Harrington. She is 
a great American in my view, and I am proud to know her. I just want to 
wish Gladys a happy birthday. Plano would not be the same without 
Gladys.




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