[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 163 (Saturday, December 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING CENTENARIAN SALLY VANDER EST OF HERNANDO COUNTY, FLORIDA

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                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2005

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Sally Vander Est of Hernando County, Florida. Sally has done something 
that all of us strives for, but that very few of us will ever 
accomplish, celebrate her 100th birthday.
  Born February 2, 1905 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Sally was the 
youngest in her family. She has many fond memories of roller-skating, 
ice skating and learning to drive in 1936. In fact, Sally has never 
gotten a ticket.
  Sally worked for 28 years in Health, Education and Welfare offices 
and for the city of Grand Rapids. Following her father's death, Sally 
cared for her mother into the late 1950's. The proudest moment of her 
life was when she married Adrian Vander Est at 59 years old, 
remembering the exact date and time of April 4, 1964 at 4 p.m.
  Sally says that her mother was an A-#1 person and her best friend, 
noting that her mother was always her date during her high school days. 
While she wishes that she had gotten married earlier in life, she 
remembers that when her friend got engaged, she told Sally, ``that she 
wanted the diamond but not what goes with it.''
  While she always thought she would live to be 136, Sally now says 
that being 100 is a miracle. Today, reading, listening to music, 
especially musicals, gives her the most pleasure. She enjoys being in 
Hernando County and away from shoveling the snow. Her favorite flower 
is the rose and her favorite color is blue, because it goes with her 
eyes. Her advice to young people is to, ``stop smoking and stop this 
sex business and drinking, change your morals.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in honoring Sally Vander Est for 
reaching her 100th birthday. I hope we all have the good fortune to 
live as long as she has.

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