[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 51 (Wednesday, April 2, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE 85TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LT. JOSEPH M. WILCOX CHAPTER OF 
                THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 2, 2008

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the Lt. 
Joseph M. Wilcox Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution 
(DAR) on the occasion of its 85th anniversary.
  The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was 
organized on August 9, 1890, in Washington, D.C. Thirty-three years 
later, on February 8, 1923, the DAR chapter in Camden, Alabama, was 
founded by my grandmother, Ezra Robins Bonner, with 19 charter members. 
The chapter will celebrate its 85th anniversary on April 3, 2008, at 
Camden Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.
  The DAR, which is headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a volunteer 
women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism and 
preserving American history through better education for children. The 
society's purpose remains much the same today as when it was chartered 
by an Act of Congress in 1895: ``To perpetuate the memory and spirit of 
the men and women who achieved American independence; to promote, as an 
object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of 
knowledge; to cherish, maintain and extend the institutions of American 
freedom, to foster true patriotism and love of country.''
  Nationally, DAR members volunteer more than 60,000 hours annually to 
veteran patients, award over $150,000 in scholarships and financial aid 
each year to students, and support schools for the underprivileged with 
annual donations in excess of one million dollars.
  Madam Speaker, the organizing and charter members of the Lt. Joseph 
M. Wilcox Chapter were: Ezra Robins Bonner, Regent; Ervin McWilliams 
Carr, Vice Regent; Madison McWilliams Ervin, Recording Secretary; 
Nannie Miller Turner, Corresponding Secretary; Charlotte Tait Beck, 
Treasurer; Lucy D. Jones Moore, Registrar; Mary Goode Berry, Chaplain; 
Sarah Ervin Henderson, Historian; Grace Pugh Goode; Anna Mary Robins 
Crain; Katie Lee Robins; Janie Margaret Robins Wood; Narcissa McDowell 
Harris; Maud McWilliams; Amelie Ervin Hixon; Henrietta Irby; Mary Bibb 
Irby; Miriam Perryman Primm; and Mabel Stokes. May all of these 
ladies--and their proud descendants--know that their work throughout 
the years has left a lasting mark on the people of Wilcox County, 
Alabama.
  It is indeed my sincere hope that the Lt. Joseph M. Wilcox Chapter of 
the Daughters of the American Revolution will continue its vital 
service for another 85 years. I ask my colleagues to join me today in 
recognizing the Camden chapter, along with all of the other DAR 
chapters around the country, for their patriotism and love of country, 
as well as for their dedication and hard work. We wish them all the 
best at this historic celebration.

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