[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 7 (Friday, January 12, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E99]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING CENTENARIAN JOSEPH MENNELLA OF HERNANDO COUNTY, FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 12, 2007

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
honor Joseph Mennella of Hernando County, Florida. Joseph has done 
something that all of us strive to do, but that very few of us will 
ever accomplish, celebrate his 100th birthday.
  Born September 2, 1906 in the ``Little Italy'' section of New York 
City, New York, Joseph lived and worked there for many years before 
moving to Florida in 1991. Joseph has fond memories of attending school 
as a child, although he readily admits that not everyone else agrees 
with him on that issue.
  When he was young, Joseph was very ill and taken to the hospital. 
While recuperating, he was cared for by an Italian immigrant nurse 
named Mother Cabrini. Mother Cabrini later was canonized as the well-
known St. Cabrini of today. In 1918, Joseph and his mother came down 
with the Spanish influenza, which killed 53 million people throughout 
the world, including approximately five thousand in New York. Joseph 
gives credit for his long life to those tough experiences as a child 
growing up in New York City.
  Completing his formal education at the sixth grade level, Joseph went 
to work as a plaster contractor, and eventually opened a wheels and 
rims business that he ran for more than fifty years. Given his 
background, Joseph's advice to young people is to, ``get an 
education.'' Following his marriage to Josephine in 1929, the happy 
couple was blessed with two healthy sons and two grandchildren.
  In 1991, at the age of eighty-five, Joseph moved to Hernando County 
and built his own home that he still lives in today. He says he loves 
Hernando County because of the warm weather and sunshine. His goal now 
is to live to be 110, and says that ``if he doesn't make it, then sue 
me.''
  Asked about the proudest moment in his life, Joseph recounts that 
reaching 100 years old and having the St. Petersburg Times do a front-
page story on him was his best experience. Joseph enjoys reading the 
newspaper, and says that he would not change a thing if he had the 
chance to do his life over.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me in honoring Joseph Mennella for 
reaching his 100th birthday. I hope we all have the good fortune to 
live as long as him.

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