[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 122 (Thursday, August 6, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S8986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   100TH BIRTHDAY OF ETHEL SCHWENGEL

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, today is the 100th birthday of a 
very special Iowan and a wonderful friend, Ethel Schwengel. One century 
ago today, Ethel was born on her parents' family farm near Purdin, MO. 
This is a bit premature, but I should also note that we are on the cusp 
of yet another remarkable milestone. On August 15, Ethel and her family 
will celebrate the 78th anniversary of her marriage to the late 
Frederic Schwengel, who represented Iowa in the United States House of 
Representatives from 1955 to 1965 and from 1967 to 1973.
  The Schwengels married in Unionville, MO, in 1931, and moved to 
Davenport, IA, in 1937. There, Ethel worked as an educator, and was 
active in many civic organizations, including Girl Scouts and the YWCA.
  When her husband served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 
1944 to 1954, and later during his long service in the U.S. House, 
Ethel became a respected and beloved presence in her own right.
  Ethel was always actively engaged in her husband's campaigns. 
Meanwhile, on the home front, she was a strong stabilizing influence in 
the Schwengel household during his inevitably frequent absences. She 
was a tireless and gracious hostess, often responding to last-minute 
calls from her husband to set additional places at the table for 
colleagues and visitors.
  During their years in the Nation's Capital, the Schwengels hosted 
``Washington Week'' for an Iowa State University professor and two of 
his students, one of whom was a very young and green Tom Harkin. I will 
never forget their kindness and hospitality during that very eventful 
week.
  Ethel joined in her husband's passion for collecting antiques as well 
as Abraham Lincoln memorabilia, which she displayed beautifully in the 
Schwengel house. Another highlight of their home was the Ethel's 
garden, which featured her prized tomatoes and Fred's beloved rhubarb--
and little bit of Iowa right in suburban Washington. Ethel was 
especially proud of her dazzling display of azaleas each spring.
  Across more than six decades of marriage, Ethel and Fred Schwengel 
were blessed with a large extended family. They raised two children, 
Frank and Dorothy. Moreover, immediately after marrying, their 
household became home to Fred's brother Forrest and sister Helene. 
Later, Fred's widowed mother joined the household, as did Ethel's 
mother.
  Following the Second World War, the Schwengels opened their home in 
Davenport to 11 displaced persons from Poland, helping them to learn 
English, find jobs, and become U.S. citizens.
  In 1966, their grandson, Robert Schwengel, joined the household. When 
he left for college in 1979, it was the first time in 48 years of 
marriage that Ethel and Fred Schwengel were without extended family 
members in their home.
  After Congressman Schwengel retired in 1973, he and Ethel continued 
to make their home in Arlington, VA. Mr. Schwengel helped to found the 
U.S. Capitol Historical Society in 1962, and headed that organization 
as its president until his death in 1993. Ethel remains a strong 
champion of the Historical Society and a member of its Honorary Board 
of Trustees. Their grandson, Dr. Robert Schwengel of Providence, RI, is 
a member of the society's active Board of Trustees, and their son-in-
law, Neale Cosby, is its treasurer as well as a trustee.
  Since that summer many years ago, when the Schwengels took me into 
their home for a very memorable ``Washington Week,'' Ethel has been a 
very dear friend.
  I am pleased to note that, for the big celebration today, she will be 
joined by family members and friends at her current residence in 
Arlington. In addition, there will be a reunion picnic on Saturday at 
her daughter and son-in-law's home at Mason Neck, VA. Ethel will be 
joined at these celebrations by her sister, Florence, age 98; her 
children and their spouses; five grandsons and spouses; nine great 
grandchildren; one niece; two nephews; and four great nephews. Clearly, 
this is a woman of great wealth--the kind of wealth that really 
matters.
  I congratulate Ethel Schwengel on this great milestone. She has 
brought light into the lives of so many of us in Iowa and here in the 
Washington area. One hundred years since its birth, that light 
continues to shine with a very special radiance.
  Happy birthday, Ethel!

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