[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 97 (Friday, June 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TO HONOR MARTHA ANN CASE JARVIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 15, 2007

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an 
outstanding citizen, Mrs. Martha Case Jarvis. Mrs. Jarvis was not a 
pioneer in the field of medicine, but she certainly found innovative 
ways of caring for the medical needs of her six children. Her field of 
expertise was not in the world of business, although she taught her 
children the importance of hard work. Mrs. Jarvis worked two jobs her 
entire life. She was an exceptional homemaker, and she worked 
tirelessly in the fields until her health no longer permitted. Between 
these two occupations, she instilled in her children integrity, 
honesty, diligence, faith, persistence, and the ability to see that 
hard work yields great rewards.
  Mrs. Jarvis was born on June 14, 1917 to the late Joseph and Emily 
Case in the backwoods of Powells Point, North Carolina. She was the 
fifth of eight children and is now the sole survivor. Joseph Case was a 
Surfman in the United States Lifesaving Service, while Emily was the 
homemaker.
  Madam Speaker, Mrs. Jarvis met, fell in love, and married Columbus 
Jarvis in 1934. This union produced six outstanding children: Norma 
Shirley of Barco, N.C.; Patricia Ann of Wappingers Falls, N.Y.; Ardella 
J. of Moyock, N.C.; Lenora J. of Elizabeth City, N.C.; William of Camp 
Springs, Md.; and Leonard of Freeport, N.Y. Norma, now retired, worked 
as a nurses' aid and was a homemaker like her mother. Patricia Ann, now 
retired, was a school teacher. Ardella, now retired, was a teacher's 
assistant. Lenora is currently serving as President, CEO, and Co-
Founder of the River City Community Development Corporation. William 
III retired from the Air Force and is currently employed with the Army 
and Air Force Exchange System. Leonard is an Independent Insurance 
Account Executive and the assistant pastor of the Berean Baptist Church 
in Brooklyn, New York. Martha Case Jarvis is the proud grandmother of 
fourteen and great-grandmother of seven children.

  June 14th marks Mrs. Jarvis' 90th birthday. She has seen many 
significant historical events over the past 90 years, including six 
wars, more presidents than she can remember, and several heartbreaking 
national disasters. During her life Mrs. Jarvis has faced a countless 
number of personal trials, but she never faltered. She knew she had a 
family to raise and a home to run, and she did both with a lot of elbow 
grease, tenacity, and tender loving care.
  Outside of her home, Mrs. Jarvis was very active in her church and 
community. She was a devoted member of the Eastern Stars. She was also 
one of the first African-Americans to qualify to register and vote in 
Currituck County.
  While Martha Case Jarvis did not set the world on fire with 
inventions or miraculous medical cures, she has certainly made a 
difference to the hundreds of people she touched along the way. Her 
children are eternally grateful for her guidance and devotion, and they 
are honored to follow in her footsteps. I ask my colleagues to join me 
in paying tribute to this outstanding citizen.

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