[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 31 (Monday, February 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E294-E295]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY OF RICHARD AND CONSTANCE 
                               SMITHGALL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 23, 2009

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
celebrate the long-standing and happy marriage of two of my 
constituents, Richard and Constance Smithgall. This March 9 they will 
celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a ceremony at Weeki 
Wachee State Park in Hernando County, Florida.
  Richard and Constance first took their wedding vows at the Grace 
Baptist Church in Binghamton, New York on March 7, 1959. They have 
since moved to Spring Hill, where they have lived for the past ten 
years. The happy couple enjoys their new life in Florida, where 
Constance has retired from her job and Richard continues to work part 
time at Home Depot.
  During the ceremony commemorating their 50th anniversary, the 
Smithgalls will have

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many of their family and friends attend the event. They have two 
wonderful children, Richard Jr. and Joi Kneiss, as well as two 
grandchildren, Justin Richard Kneiss and Courtney Smithgall. The entire 
extended Smithgall family is looking forward to the anniversary and is 
very proud of Richard and Constance for making it 50 years together.
  Madam Speaker, the union of two souls is a wonderful moment and one 
to be celebrated by friends and loved ones. It is a sign of true love 
and affection for two people to make it half a century living in holy 
matrimony. I want to congratulate Richard and Constance Smithgall on 
their 50th anniversary and wish them the best of luck as they spend the 
rest of their lives together.

                          ____________________