[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 63 (Friday, May 19, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MRS. PINKIE HARDY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 19, 2006

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of 
Mrs. Pinkie Hardy of Eunice, Louisiana on the occasion of her 90th 
birthday.
  Born May 19, 1916 in Washington, Louisiana, Mrs. Pinkie and her 
family moved to Eunice when she was just two years old. A self-educated 
woman, Mrs. Pinkie attended school until the seventh grade. During the 
years of the segregated south, African American children did not have a 
high school to attend in smaller communities like Eunice, and if their 
parents could not afford to send them to larger towns for a high school 
education, their schooling was limited to an elementary education. 
Despite this obstacle, as a girl Mrs. Pinkie developed a love for 
reading that has stayed with her ever since with the Bible being among 
her favorite things to read.
  Mrs. Pinkie married Herman Hardy in 1936. Together, the couple had 
seven children and one stepson. They were married for 43 years until he 
passed away in 1979. During most of those years, Herman worked in the 
dry cleaning business and Mrs. Pinkie worked in food services at 
Charles Drew High School, which became Central Middle School when the 
local high schools were integrated in 1969. She continued to work there 
until she retired from the Louisiana school system in 1980. Mrs. 
Pinkie's children are now living and working in various states across 
the country, and many of them are now retired and pursuing second 
careers. She has 22 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, and has 
always encouraged and stressed the importance of education and 
independence to all her children and grandchildren.
  Mrs. Pinkie was and still is active in her church and community. A 
devout Catholic, she was one of the first Eucharistic Ministers in 
Eunice, and in 2002 received the Bishop's Medal from the Diocese of 
Lafayette for her achievements. She also served as State Deputy for the 
Knights of Peter Claver Ladies' Auxiliary, and was honored with an 
award for 50 years of service. In 1987, Mrs. Pinkie was presented with 
the Martin Luther King Jr. Award and in 1990, she was honored as Mother 
of the Year. Furthermore, in February 2005, she was presented with the 
``Woman Who Made a Difference'' Award from he National Association of 
University Women. In addition, she has served as President of the 
Legion of Mary and St. Mathilda School Parent Teacher Association.
  In her lifetime, Mrs. Pinkie has witnessed and made a great deal of 
history, living through some of the most tumultuous periods in our 
country's history, particularly in the years before and during the 
Civil Rights Movement. Throughout that time she has been a leader in 
her community and her family, providing wisdom and direction to all who 
know her.
  One of her sons is married to my sister, so I know firsthand what a 
strong, caring, unique and inspirational woman Mrs. Pinkie is. As the 
leader and matriarch of her family, Mrs. Pinkie is who everybody turns 
to. She is the voice of reason and compassion for all her children, 
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives, her church community and 
her friends, and continues to be a bright light we all look to for 
guidance.
  Today, the friends and family of Mrs. Pinkie Hardy come together to 
celebrate the 90 incredible years during which we have been blessed to 
have her in our lives and the lives of our loved ones. On this very 
special day, I join all of them and the entire Eunice community in 
congratulating Mrs. Pinkie on this wonderful occasion, and in saluting 
her for her many years of service, leadership and dedication to helping 
others in her family and her community.

                          ____________________