[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 18, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MARGARET YOUMANS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 18, 2003

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute today to the 
memory of a remarkable woman from my district. Margaret Youmans, who 
passed away recently at the age of 104, was the oldest resident of 
Gunnison County in Western Colorado, with a life spanning parts of 
three centuries.
  Born in 1898, Margaret was the second of eight children born to Lake 
City businessman Charles Mendenhall and his wife Manetta. Margaret 
graduated from high school in 1918 and began a career as a teacher. 
Eight years later she was elected as a write-in candidate for 
Superintendent of the Hinsdale County Schools. Margaret also worked as 
a cook and for a newspaper, spending more than 60 years on a ranch, 
growing nearly everything her family ate.
  Mr. Speaker, Margaret was a tough, self-reliant, and determined woman 
who attributed her long life to her love of family, good genetics, and 
plenty of good, hard work. Her ``can-do'' attitude exemplified the 
qualities that helped make this nation great, and I am honored to pay 
tribute to her memory here today.

                          ____________________