[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 14 (Thursday, February 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CENTRAL NEW JERSEY HONORS CENTENARIAN JEANETTE GIUNCO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2002

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Central New Jersey 
centenarian, Ms. Jeanette Giunco, a resident of Freehold, NJ 
celebrating her one-hundredth birthday on Sunday, February 17, 2002.
  Born to Elizabeth Seckler and Joseph Schmidt in Mulhouse, in the 
Province of Alsace-Lorraine, Germany, Ms. Giunco was one of eight 
children. Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, Alsace-Lorrain was 
a disputed region between France and Germany. As a result of the 
Versailles Peace Treaty in 1981, the region returned to France. It is 
interesting to note that during World War II, her brother August 
repaired General Eisenhower's automobile and shook his hand during the 
European Conflict.
  Ms. Giunco came to the United States in 1926 where she lived in New 
York City and took her first--and according to her, her best--job, as a 
companion speaking French to a businessman's family as she was fluent 
in German, French, Alsation and English. Another job as a companion and 
housekeeper moved her to Belmar, New Jersey in 1927 to work for the 
Strauss family.
  During that same year, Jeanette married a local Belmar merchant, Mr. 
Albert P. Giunco. Albert's family had operated various businesses in 
Belmar since the 1870s and by 1927, Albert and his brothers ran a 
series of food markets, liquor stores and butcher shops in the Monmouth 
County shore area. Jeanette and Albert had two children, John and 
Richard. Currently, Ms. Giunco is the proud grandmother of eight and 
great-grandmother of nine.
  Ms. Giunco was involved with many civic organizations such as the 
Belmar Women's Club and Fitkin Hospital--now know as the Jersey Shore 
Medical Center. Fitkin Hospital recognized her for over 2,000 hours of 
volunteer service.
  Ms. Giunco has traveled extensively, visiting Europe as well as 
travels throughout the United States, Canada and South America.
  As a proud citizen of the United States, Ms. Giunco has exercised her 
rights throughout the years, particularly carrying out her right to 
vote. She reflects that the World Wars and particularly the attack on 
Pearl Harbor were significant events and has found particular 
fascination with the fact that when she was born, airplanes and rockets 
were but a dream and yet less than 70 years later there was a man 
walking on the moon. Ms. Giunco regrets the recent terrorist attacks 
against the United States and has prayed for peace throughout the 
world.
  Mr. Speaker, again, I rise to celebrate and honor this Central New 
Jersey centenarian and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing 
Ms. Jeanette Giunco and celebrating her one hundredth birthday on 
Sunday, February 17, 2002.

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