[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 4 (Friday, January 13, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E12]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING TEXAS CENTENARIAN CLESPIE WEST CARR

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 13, 2012

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
honor and congratulate Ms. Clespie West Carr of Houston, Texas, on the 
occasion of her 100th birthday. Ms. Carr celebrated her 100th birthday 
on January 4, 2012, and hers is a life rich in history and life 
experience.
  Ms. Carr's childhood was not easy, and from an early age she had the 
strength of character that would carry her throughout her life. At age 
2, Ms. Carr was orphaned and placed under the care of her grandmother. 
Just a few short years later, when she was not attending the Marquez 
School four months out of the year, she was hard at work in the fields 
picking cotton and vegetables.
  Having lived for 100 years, Ms. Carr has seen so many of our Nation's 
historic events. When Ms. Carr was only 23, the Great Depression was in 
full swing. A young mother, she cared for her small children during the 
harsh economic realities of the time. Her resilience and strong work 
ethic helped carry her family through one of the toughest periods in 
American history.
  She too has witnessed our country's decades-long struggle for civil 
rights. She lived through a time of segregation and violence motivated 
by hate, and decades later she would see the first African American 
elected to the highest office in the land.
  If there was one thing in particular that enduring these hardships 
and struggles did for Ms. Carr, it was to forge unbreakable bonds with 
her children and family. Ms. Carr recalls the happiest time in her life 
as watching her children grow up and being able to attend school. Her 
constant and enduring desire to work hard so that her children could 
live a better life and her duty to family is as selfless as it is 
noble.
  But Ms. Carr's selflessness extended far beyond her own family; the 
benefits of her service and generosity poured out into the community. 
Ms. Carr served as Secretary for the Robinson Chapel Baptist Church for 
40 years. There, she was one of several members of the Sick Committee 
who would aid the sick by cooking, cleaning and running errands for the 
needy.
  Mr. Speaker, Clespie Carr is now part of the small number of 
centenarians in the U.S. but her determination and dedication to her 
family and friends only make her that much more unique. I am pleased to 
acknowledge this monumental occasion and Ms. Carr's tireless efforts 
for the sake of others this past century, and I wish her continued 
health and prosperity.

                          ____________________