[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 10 (Wednesday, February 1, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E62]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO NORMAN J. PERA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2006

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Norman J. Pera of Saugatuck, 
Michigan, who died on January 1, 2006, at the age of 83.
  Norman J. Pera was born in Gary, Indiana, where he graduated from 
Horace Mann High School in 1939. He served honorably from 1942 to 1946 
in the U.S. Navy, including active duty in the Pacific Theater during 
Word War II.
  Upon completing military service, he attended the Rose Hulman 
Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana, and graduated in 1948 
with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for Inland Steel of 
East Chicago, Indiana, and retired in 1982 as the Assistant 
Superintendent of the Mechanical Department. Mr. Pera moved to 
Saugatuck in 1989 and became an active volunteer for many local 
organizations, giving generously of his time and his many talents.
  He is survived by his wife Patricia, the great love of his life for 
57 years, their 5 outstanding sons, David, Timothy, Mark, Thomas, and 
John; his daughters-in-law Ruth, Kathleen, Leslie and Catherine; his 
nephew and niece Anthony and Mary Ester Merza, and his 11 beautiful 
grandchildren.
  Norman Pera was a principled and decent man who loved his family, his 
faith, his community and his country very deeply.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring the life 
of my dear cousin Norman and extend to his beloved family our deepest 
sympathy. America has lost a magnificent citizen.

                          ____________________