[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 69 (Friday, May 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E900]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO JOHN McMORRAN OF LAKELAND, FL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 2003

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
commemorate the life of a great American who died last month after 113 
years of life.
  At the time of his death John McMorran of Lakeland, FL, which lies 
partially in my Fifth Congressional District, was the oldest living 
American man and the fourth-oldest person in the world.
  Born June 19, 1889, in a Michigan log cabin, John McMorran considered 
coffee his elixir and quit cigars at the tender age of 97. He retired 
at 84 after working in a munitions factory, delivering milk, and 
delivering mail and moved to Florida to enjoy his retirement.
  More than 30 years later he was still enjoying life, friends, and his 
family, who all said he was a happy man who lived a great life.
  Mr. McMorran had a 59-year-old grandson and a 35-year-old great-
granddaughter and one great-great-grandson!
  He was born the year that the Oklahoma Land Rush took place, 14 when 
the Wright Brothers made their historic first flight at Kitty Hawk, and 
too old for the draft in World War I.
  Mr. McMorran was there for all the advancements and innovations of 
the Twentieth Century. He knew life before and after cars, before and 
after electricity in homes, before and after computers, cell phones, 
the Internet. After 113 years of life there's not much he missed out 
on.
  I am proud to speak before the House today about John McMoffan and 
commemorate his long, successful life.

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