[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 12 (Wednesday, February 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HAPPY 109TH BIRTHDAY, ARMINTA LESTARJETTE ULRICH

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                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 4, 2004

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a very 
special woman, Arminta Lestarjette Ulrich, known simply by the name 
``Mint'' to her friends. Mint will be celebrating her 109th birthday on 
February 21. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge this 
important milestone in her long and fruitful life.
  Mint has had the gift of living through three centuries in this great 
Nation--one can only imagine the many changes she has witnessed. She is 
a living time capsule, a treasure to us. By sharing her memories and 
experiences with us, we can learn more about ourselves and our Nation. 
Mint gives us strength in knowing where we came from and hope of who we 
can become.
  Her full, rich life began in Cotulla, Texas in 1895. She was one of 
eleven children: five sisters and five brothers. The stories she tells 
of her youth allow us to vicariously experience life in the foreign 
land of South Texas as it was during the early part of the 20th 
century. For instance, Mint is often heard recounting how she used to 
ride atop a horse as it swam across the Nueces River. Or, how she used 
to travel by wagon to Kerrville, Texas, a journey that lasted two to 
three days. Today, this trip would take roughly three hours by car to 
complete.
  Mint moved to San Antonio in 1915 where she began work as a 
switchboard operator for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. She worked with 
Missouri Pacific until her retirement. During her career, Arminta 
developed lasting friendships with workers all over the switchboard 
system.
  One of the most enduring relationships she developed was with a young 
man who worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad--his name was Arthur 
Frederick Ulrich. Arthur grew to love Mint, but she was already 
engaged. However, like most young men suffering the pangs of love, 
Arthur was not dissuaded. He called her everyday and told her, ``I'll 
get you yet''. This persistence, coupled with her interest in his 
striking good looks and unquenchable high-spiritedness, made Arthur's 
prediction come true.
  Mr. and Mrs. Ulrich were married on April 11, 1929 and did not have 
any children. Sadly, Arthur passed away in 1983, just six days before 
what would have been their 54th wedding anniversary. Their relationship 
was strong and serves as an example of the joy that a marriage can be 
if it is full of true friendship and love.
  Mint has attributed her longevity to the use of ``One-A-Day'' 
vitamins and her lasting good looks to daily use of ``Oil of Olay''. I 
am suspicious, though, that her secret to long life and happiness also 
involves her sense of humor, positive attitude, and commitment to 
friends and family.
  I am proud to count myself among those who have had the opportunity 
to know and learn from Mint. Her joy of living and her humanity have 
helped her to become an enduring spirit that continues to spread joy to 
those who know her. I wish her many blessings and the very best for her 
109th birthday.

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