[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 149 (Thursday, October 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CELEBRATING DAVID ISIAH STROMAN ON HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2011

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in celebrating David Isiah Stroman, Jr. on 
his 100th birthday today.
  Born in South Carolina, Dave, as he is affectionately known, has 
spent most of his life as a resident of the District of Columbia. After 
graduating from Booker T. Washington High School and attending Benedict 
College in South Carolina, Dave moved to the nation's capital.
  Dave was a natural athlete, so it came as no surprise that he fell in 
love with golf when he began working as a caddy at Indian Springs 
Country Club in Silver Spring, MD, earning $0.50 a round. During those 
days, the old West Potomac Park on Constitution Avenue was the only 
golf course in DC that African Americans were allowed to use, and 
Monday was the only day they were allowed to play on it. However, the 
Langston Golf Course opened in 1939, giving Dave and his friends a 
primary golf course to call their own. Over the years, Dave met famous 
golfers like Lee Elder, Calvin Peete and Charlie Sifford. In the late 
1940s, Dave met and became golf partners with boxing great Joe Louis, 
and they shared many happy times competing against each other.
  Dave's successes did not stop at golf. He began his federal 
government career in 1935 at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, 
which had just begun to hire African Americans. He worked there until 
his retirement in 1969. Dave was married to his first wife, Mildred, 
during his early years at the Bureau, until her death in 1939. Dave 
married his second wife, Pamela Wilhoite, in 1949. Dave and Pam have 
two daughters, Tayloria and India, one grandson, Azani, two sons-in-
law, Purnell and Daryl, a step granddaughter, Ashley, and a step great 
grandson, Zion.
  During Dave's time at the Bureau, he cultivated many relationships 
with his co-workers. Together, they formed social clubs like ``The 
SWAGS,'' whose clubhouse dances and boat rides were the place to be in 
the 1950s. As a member of a club of retired golfers, the Monday Morning 
Golf Club, Dave played golf at different courses every Monday. Dave and 
his co-workers met the actor Bill Murray at the Bureau, who encouraged 
all of them to become members of the Masonic Temple. Dave later signed 
his petition as a Master Mason. He is a member of Mecca #10 Shrine 
Temple, Mt. Vernon Chapter #1, Holy Royal Arch Masons, Redemption Lodge 
#24, and Simon Commandery. Today, Dave continues to enjoy life by being 
in the company of family and friends, going to golf courses, and 
cheering on the Washington Redskins.
  In celebrating this significant milestone, we acknowledge the 
extraordinary personal qualities and contributions of David Isiah 
Stroman, Jr. to his family and to our community. His birthday gives his 
family and friends, and the residents of the District of Columbia, an 
opportunity to thank him for his many gifts of love and friendship. I 
ask the House to join me in celebrating the 100th birthday of David 
Isiah Stroman, Jr., a special man whose service to our community is 
greatly appreciated.

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