[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 91 (Tuesday, July 9, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE 90TH BIRTHDAY OF PAUL HETH, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 9, 2002

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Mr. Paul Heth, Jr. of Jesup, Iowa, who will celebrate his 90th birthday 
on Monday, July 15.
  Paul, the son of German immigrants, was born on his family's farm 
southeast of Fairbank, Iowa on July 15, 1912. When Paul started school, 
he first went to the local country school on County Line Road, which 
was a mile west of the Heth Farm, and then onto the parochial school in 
Fairbank situated behind St. John's Lutheran Church. Upon the family's 
move to a farm just north of Jesup, Paul began attending the Jesup 
School.
  Like many young men his age, Paul's labors were needed on the family 
farm during his eighth grade year. Possessing a traditional Midwestern 
work-ethic, at age twelve, Paul began working for neighboring farmers 
as well. In fact, one time a local fanner, who was driving by a field 
in which Paul was working, stopped to compliment the young man on the 
straight rows of corn he was planting.
  Life wasn't all work for Paul in those days. In 1937, Paul and a 
young lady named Ruby Rachuy headed for the Illinois state line, where 
in Galena they exchanged marriage vows. On May 13 of this year, Paul 
and Ruby celebrated 65 years of marriage. With a new wife and a growing 
family came new responsibilities. This led to a change of career for 
Paul as he headed to the John Deere Company, where he worked in the 
farm equipment manufacturer's ``Heat Treat'' facility for over 33 
years, retiring in 1974.
  As a member of the ``Greatest Generation,'' Paul is devoted to his 
church, his community and his country. In addition to being a long-time 
member of Grace Lutheran Church in Jesup, Paul served three terms on 
the Jesup City Council, which culminated in one term as Mayor. The 
Jesup newspaper announced his victory, proclaiming: ``Paul Heth Elected 
Mayor of Jesup by a Landslide.'' And although a family deferral 
prevented his own uniformed service to America, three of Paul's sons 
proudly represent over 50 years of service to their nation in the 
United States Navy.
  On behalf of his wife Ruby, and children Carolyn, Verla, Bob, Ron, 
Patricia, Rick, Pam and Randy, I call on my colleagues in the House of 
Representatives to join me in expressing appreciation to Mr. Paul Heth, 
Jr. on his 90th birthday.

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