[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 11, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1486]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF SAMMIE OLKINETZKY

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                             HON. TOM COLE

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 11, 2007

  Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor one of 
Oklahoma's genuine treasures, Ms. Sammie Olkinetzky, who recently 
observed her 50th anniversary as a church choir director.
  Through her service as a choir director, hundreds of Oklahomans were 
encouraged to develop their singing abilities, utilize their gifts to 
entertain others, and most importantly, express praise to God through 
their talents.
  Ms. Olkinetzky was born and raised in Ada, Oklahoma. She attended the 
University of Oklahoma and received a master's degree in music 
education.
  Her first appointment as a choir director came in 1957 to Trinity 
Lutheran Church in Norman. While at Trinity, Ms. Olkinetzky had the 
opportunity to lead two children's choirs, the St. Timothy Choir and 
the Bach Choir, as well as a choir for adult church members. In 1963, 
Ms. Olkinetzky served as a dual choir director to both Trinity Lutheran 
Church and University Lutheran Church, which had recently partnered 
their choir with the Trinity congregation.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
Sammie Olkinetzky for her fifty years of service. She has spent decades 
enriching the cultural and spiritual life of residents in the fourth 
district. I want to thank Ms. Olkinetzky for all of her contributions 
to the state of Oklahoma.

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