[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        A.D. AND SHIRLEY McGREGOR: A GIFT OF LOVE AND GENEROSITY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 2002

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a very special couple, 
A.D. and Shirley McGregor of Spaulding Township, Michigan, as they 
prepare to celebrate fifty years of marriage and a loving commitment to 
each other and their community. They have not only shared their 
tremendous capacity for love and giving with their son, Allen, his 
wife, Nancy, and granddaughter, Nicole, but they have both literally 
and figuratively played Santa Claus and Mr. Claus for much of the 
citizenry of Saginaw County.
  The list of the many volunteer organizations graced by the McGregors' 
efforts over the years is long and impressive, including the Michigan 
Avenue Baptist Church in Saginaw, the Salvation Army, various rescue 
missions, the Sagniaw County Historical Society, CROP Walk for the 
Hungry, the Saginaw Fair and a host of other non-profits.
  Of particular note is their involvement with Saginaw Community 
Hospital, where they have spent untold hours entertaining and helping 
patients. Elderly patients and others have derived much pleasure from 
the McGregors' musical interludes, with A.D. leading the sing-along and 
Shirley at the piano playing ``God Bless America'' or ``Let Me Call You 
Sweetheart.'' During the Christmas holiday season, the McGregors have 
become synonymous with the Yuletide spirit as they have donned red 
coats and white-furred hats to dress as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus for 
visits to area hospital and charitable events.
  Those familiar with volunteer work in Saginaw can hardly remember a 
time when the McGregors were not involved in one or another activity. 
A.D. and Shirley have volunteered for various organizations since 
before they were married at Fordney Avenue Baptist Church in 1952. In 
fact, as a young girl, Shirley used to accompany her father, Elmer 
Hopkins, when he sang and played the organ for local organizations. 
Both A.D. and Shirley learned at an early age that they had a 
responsibility to return some of their blessings to the wider 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating A.D. 
and Shirley for fifty years of marital happiness and for a lifetime of 
loving and giving. I am confident their kind hearted generosity will 
continue to know no bounds.

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