[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 60 (Thursday, May 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO MARGARET McGUIRE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 2011

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Margaret 
McGuire of Perry, Iowa on celebrating her 100th birthday.
  Margaret was born on April 14, 1911 in Audubon, Iowa. The middle 
child of six, she quickly developed a passion for music and began 
learning how to play the violin in fourth grade. Together with her 
cello-playing sister Betty and a piano-playing friend, Margaret 
performed in a trio. Before graduating from Audubon High School in 
1929, she utilized her violin skills in the high school's string 
orchestra and quartet.
  It didn't take Margaret long to decide that music wasn't just her 
passion--she wanted to make it her profession. She graduated in 1934 
from Simpson College with a bachelor's degree in music education. She 
eventually went on to earn a master's degree in Violin Technology at 
Drake University. With her education in hand, Margaret spent the next 
several decades teaching both general music and violin in public 
schools and in private lessons. She also played the violin in the Des 
Moines Symphony, the Central Iowa Symphony, and the Iowa State 
University Symphony.
  Although music played a large role in Margaret's life, her family was 
even more important to her. She was happily married to Francis McGuire 
for many years, and together they had one daughter and three sons. Even 
though Francis has passed on, Margaret treasures the time she has with 
their children. Today, Margaret also has eight grandchildren and seven 
great-grandchildren.
  What is Margaret's secret to a long and happy life? The spirit of 
optimism demonstrated in her oft-repeated saying, ``Count your 
blessings.''
  I am extremely honored to represent Margaret McGuire in the United 
States Congress, and I wish her much happiness and health in her future 
years.

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