[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CONGRATULATIONS TO ANNA SAUGER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 2004

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer my heartiest congratulations 
to Anna Sauger, a beloved mother, wife, and citizen who was born a 
century ago on April 4, 1904.
  Born in a coal mining town in Portage, PA, Anna often speaks of the 
hard life for the family of eight boys and three girls. The family kept 
two cows for milk, two pigs and some chickens for fresh eggs.
  Her father, brothers and other coal miners fought for an 8-hour 
workday, better safety in the mines, and ultimately formed a Union, 
only to face a lockout in this company town, and were forced to leave 
their homes.
  Ultimately, the company settled; Anna continued her education in a 
one-room school house and married John Sauger, a young miner. They 
lived in a small house in an area known as ``Whiskey Row'' until they 
moved to Detroit in 1925, where she raised a family of six boys and 
three girls.
  During WWII, Anna was one of many working women who helped build the 
arsenal of democracy. She worked at the old Packard plant helping build 
Packard-Merlin engines used in the P-51 Mustangs. Her other jobs 
included factory work at Bundy Tubing and Glo-Tone cleaners.
  Then tragedy struck and Anna lost John, her partner and best friend, 
in 1971. John was also her means of transportation, taking her from 
place to place. At the young age of 70 years old, Anna secretly took 
driver's training and got her driver's license. She became the proud 
owner of a driver's license and a green Dodge Scamp.
  Last year, when Anna was honored with a visit to her home by Governor 
Jennifer Granholm, she presented her with a handmade pillow and 
blanket, made on her 1956 Pfaff sewing machine.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding and 
honoring Anna Sauger on the wonderful occasion of her 100th birthday. I 
am pleased to join her many friends and family in paying tribute to a 
new centurion and a life that represents so very well the challenges 
and opportunities of our great country.

                          ____________________