[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 167 (Thursday, December 16, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H8522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER

  (Mrs. DAHLKEMPER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. DAHLKEMPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Worldwide 
Marriage Encounter.
  For over 40 years, Worldwide Marriage Encounter has strengthened 
countless marriages through a weekend workshop to improve a couple's 
communication. Worldwide Marriage Encounter is totally self-supporting, 
and no couple is turned away because they do not have the ability to 
pay. In 2009, over 10,000 couples attended the Worldwide Marriage 
Encounter weekends in the United States alone.
  Marriage is a vital institution in the life of our society. Couples 
in good marriages live longer and happier lives. Worldwide Marriage 
Encounter is undertaking a project to recognize the longest married 
couple from every State, with special recognition to the longest 
married couple in the United States. As nearly 50 percent of marriages 
end in divorce, it is truly an inspiration to see how many couples have 
remained together for so long.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating 
Worldwide Marriage Encounter and all the volunteers and clergy for 
their efforts to strengthen marriages throughout our country.

                          ____________________