[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 15 (Monday, February 9, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING EDWARD N. FRIESZ ON HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY

 Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I recognize a North Dakotan who is 
celebrating a special birthday this weekend. On Saturday, February 14, 
2004, friends and family will gather in Mandan, ND to celebrate and 
honor Edward N. Friesz on his eightieth birthday.
  Edward Friesz was born on February 14, 1924 to Adam and Magdalena 
Friesz on a farmstead near Fellon, ND. The oldest of nine children, 
Edward worked on his parents' farm before moving to Mandan to live and 
work. He worked at various places before retiring in 1989 from the 
Morton County Courthouse.
  In 1951, Edward met Elsie Frohlich, a friend and coworker of his 
sister, Irene. Edward and Elsie were married on September 30, 1953 in 
Bismarck. Last fall, the couple celebrated their 50th wedding 
anniversary.
  Mark Twain once wrote, ``Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles 
have been.'' Edward's greatest joy in life--the origin of many of those 
smiles--is his family.
  Edward and Elsie started their family in 1954 with the arrival of 
their first child, Delphine. Their family would grow to include three 
daughters, Delphine, Sharon and Annette, and three sons, Kennard, 
Gerard and Maynard.
  Edward and Elsie are also proud grandparents. They have 10 
grandchildren ranging in age from 25 to 1. They include: Trever, Anton, 
Maria, Elizabeth, Alec, Jakob, Brett, Rachael, Ryan and Adam.
  While the family has spread throughout the country, they remain very 
close. The family comes together for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays 
and special occasions. Twelve years ago, the family started a new 
tradition: a summer campout. Armed with tents and campers, sleeping 
bags and lanterns, the Edward and Elsie Friesz family embark each year 
on a weekend campout to share food, fun and fellowship.
  Over the past 12 years, they have camped in North Dakota, South 
Dakota and Minnesota. They have endured rainstorms, thunderstorms, and 
cold and hot temperatures. As the family has grown, so have the annual 
campouts. One year, they even designed t-shirts to commemorate the 
family tradition.
  This Valentine's Day, February 14, 2004, the family will get together 
again this time to celebrate their patriarch's 80th birthday.
  I extend a warm birthday greeting to Edward Friesz and wish him well 
on his 80th birthday.

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