[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 98 (Friday, June 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1603-E1604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATION OF THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF MARTHA POFFENBERGER McKINLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 2009

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my 
colleagues, Representative Devin Nunes and Representative Jim Costa, to 
acknowledge, congratulate, and celebrate the 100th Birthday of Martha 
Poffenberger McKinley.
  Martha has always been an active member of the Fresno community. She 
worked for the State of California Department of Industrial Welfare for 
many years, where she was involved with a number of business and 
professional organizations. She also founded and became the first 
president of the women's section of the Fresno County Chamber of 
Commerce.

[[Page E1604]]

  Mrs. McKinley now lives with her daughter and son-in-law. She enjoys 
spending time with her three grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and 
is looking forward to the birth of her first great-great grandchild.
  Martha has been a remarkable mother not only to her own daughter but 
also to her other daughter Sally Lewis. In 2000, Martha was recognized 
by the Fresno County Women's Chamber of Commerce as Mother of the Year. 
She is well-deserving of this award.
  My colleagues and I want to take this opportunity to not only wish 
Martha a happy birthday, but to express our admiration and gratitude 
for her service to the people of Fresno County. It is truly an honor to 
celebrate such a remarkable lady.
  Below is a letter submitted by her long time friend, Sally M. Lewis.

       ``On July 17th, a remarkable lady will celebrate her 100th 
     birthday. Martha Poffenberger McKinley was born in 
     Portsmouth, Ohio, on July 17, 1909, the only child of Edward 
     Daniel and Claire Kennedy Poffenberger.
       Her life is a long list of accomplishments, but most of all 
     she was a loving wife to Pete before his death and she is a 
     remarkable mom to her daughter Monna and a true blessing in 
     my life for treating me as a daughter since I was a child.
       After graduation from Ohio State, Martha began her 
     professional life in Ohio as the private secretary to 
     Governor Bricker. Following her marriage to Peter B. McKinley 
     they moved to northern California. Not much for staying at 
     home, she went to work at Mare Island Ship Yard and quickly 
     moved up from secretarial pool to department head. The family 
     moved to Fresno after Monna was born and once she started 
     school Martha went to work for the state of California 
     Department of Industrial Welfare. While working there she was 
     active in many business and professional organizations. Among 
     them she founded and was the first president of the women's 
     section of the Fresno County Chamber of Commerce (now The 
     Fresno County Women in Chambers of Commerce).
       She lived in her own home and washed her own car until she 
     lost her vision well into her 90's. She now enjoys living 
     with her daughter and son-in-law surrounded by her three 
     grandchildren, 8 great children and soon her first great-
     great grand child.
       Even though she is now blind, she still keeps up on current 
     events, manages her own investments and has voted in every 
     election.
       Martha has a wonderful mind and fantastic memory. She is 
     never without a joke and a smile. Always the life of any 
     gathering, Martha has always enjoyed her evening cocktail and 
     visits with family and friends. An evening with Martha is one 
     you're not likely to forget.
       It's an honor and a privilege to have her as my ``other 
     mutter.'' From: Sally M. Lewis''

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