[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 124 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1887]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 80TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY OF DONALD AND MARGARET MERGLER

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                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 2006

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize 
a very significant occasion. I am proud to represent two people who 
have lived a full life of love and happiness. Donald and Margaret 
Mergler celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary on September 4, 2006.
  The Merglers are believed to be the oldest living married couple in 
the United States. In the world we live in today, marriages sometimes 
don't last more than a year let alone 80. This couple is truly worthy 
of recognition for such a joyous occasion.
  The 98-year-olds have known each other since grade school. They were 
both born and raised in Havre de Grace, Maryland. As children in grade 
school the couple knew each other, but it wasn't until Donald offered 
Margaret a ride home from their church's Christmas pageant, the two 
became a couple.
  After the Merglers were married, Mr. Mergler's career took them on a 
tour of Maryland's neighboring states. Mr. Mergler was a jockey at the 
race tracks for many years. After he hung up his reins, Mr. Mergler 
relocated the family back to the Havre de Grace area where he worked as 
an assemblyman for the company now referred to as Lockheed Martin. The 
couple remained here for the rest of their working years. While Mr. 
Mergler put together helicopters for Boeing, Mrs. Mergler chauffeured 
military persons and supervised mail distribution at Aberdeen Proving 
Ground.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join with me to commemorate the union of 
Donald and Margaret Mergler. Much can be learned from the 98-year-old 
couple about love, life, and happiness. I extend my heartfelt 
congratulations to them for reaching their 80th wedding anniversary.




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