[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E28-E29]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING ROSE DERGIN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 21, 2004

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Rose Dergin, a resident of my Fifth Congressional District of Florida 
and a woman who has become something very few of us ever will. Mrs. 
Dergin is a centenarian and at 101 she is a mother to one child, a 
grandmother to three grandchildren, and a greatgrandmother to five 
great-grandchildren!
  Mrs. Dergin was born in New York City but went to School in Englewood 
Cliffs, New Jersey. At 17 she worked as a long distance telephone 
operator and following school, she worked as a bookbinder. She 
describes her happiest moment as her wedding day. Today

[[Page E29]]

one of her favorite activities is playing cards until her eyes hurt!
  After 101 years, Mrs. Dergin says if she had to live life all over 
again, she'd love to be a sketch artist, a hobby she had to give up in 
order to support her family. When asked what advice she'd give to young 
people she said, ``Listen to your parents.'' She says the best thing 
about growing older is having her family around.
  Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues, I ask that you join me in honoring 
Rose Dergin today. I hope we all have the good fortune to live as long 
as she has. She is truly a great lady and someone with an appreciation 
for the importance of family and closeness.

                          ____________________