[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 19, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E513]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO MRS. ANNIE MAE AARON ON HER 95TH BIRTHDAY

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 19, 2003

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride 
to recognize Mrs. Annie Mae Aaron who will soon observe her 95th 
birthday.
  Born on April 24, 1908, Mrs. Aaron was aware at an early age of the 
importance family, faith, freedom, and education. Though she was struck 
with polio at the age of three, through her faith in God, and self-
reliance, she recovered from this illness to lead a full and productive 
life of distinction. She Attended Edward Waters College in 
Jacksonville, Florida and graduated in the class of 1930. She was a 
teacher in the public school system of Florida, teaching in E.O. 
Douglas high school in Sebring.
  In 1939, Mrs. Aaron made her home in West Palm Beach Florida where 
she was the Sunday school secretary at Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church. She 
was a marketing representative for the Afro American Insurance Company. 
She married J.E. Aaron of Sebring in 1941 and they enjoyed a long happy 
union until his death in 1974.
  Mrs. Aaron's greatest contribution to her community and to her 
country is through her family--her children that she reared--and 
preschool age children of others whom she mentored. She produced seven 
sons and two daughters. Four of her sons served honorably in the United 
States Army, three of whom served in combat zones during hostilities. 
Rudy rose to the rank of Sergeant and served in the Army Signal Corps 
in the Korean War. Samuel achieved to the rank of Regular Army Major 
and was an Army aviator during two tours in the Vietnam War. He is a 
high-ranking official with the Federal Aviation Administration. A third 
son, Eugene, advanced to the rank of Regular Army Captain and served in 
Wurzburg, Germany with the Third Infantry Division as a Tank platoon 
commander during the height of the Cold War. He was also an advisory to 
South Vietnamese in the Vietnam War. He is now a State Department 
Foreign Service Officer, who has completed diplomatic assignments in 
four countries. Patrick served in the United States Army in Alaska in 
the Signal Corps, Mrs. Aaron's daughters are also serving their 
communities in significant ways. Both have chosen to become teachers in 
their native Florida, following in the large footprints of their 
mother. Priscilla is a Business teacher at Sebring High School in 
Highlands County. Ruth is a Mathematics Instructor in the Seminole 
County Community College.
  Some sons have distinguished themselves in non-military areas as 
well. Joseph is an expert chemist and enjoyed a long 20-year career 
with the Department of Energy. James is a passionate lawyer, using his 
knowledge and skill of the law to increase justice in his community. 
During his life, Robert used his hands in many trades, mainly the 
construction crafts. Lastly, one of the children that she mentored as a 
pre-school student, Water, is a Medical Doctor. Indeed Mrs. Aaron has 
contributed much to Sebring, the state of Florida and America.
  In addition to organizing and serving as president of the Women's 
Club, a community service organization, Mrs. Aaron was an advisor to 
the Girl Scouts. She is still a vibrant presence in Mt. Zion A.M.E. 
Church in Sebring, Florida. Mrs. Aaron's life is the very model of what 
is possible in a free and open democratic society and it is in keeping 
with the culture and highest traditions of what it means to be an 
American. Mr. Speaker I know that my colleagues here in the U.S. House 
of Representatives join me today in saluting Mrs. Aaron and wishing her 
continued health and happiness in the years to come.

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