[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 20, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E391-E392]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING MRS. MIRIAM V. HENSON ON THE OCCASION OF HER 105TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2012

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor a 
beloved leader in the Co-op City community, Mrs. Miriam V. Henson, on 
her 105th birthday.
  Mrs. Henson, affectionately called Mother Henson by her neighbors, is 
an inspiration to me and to many of my constituents, so I'd like to 
take this opportunity to discuss her life and achievements.
  Mrs. Henson was born in Bangbridge, GA in 1907, but her family 
shortly thereafter moved to Harlem, NY, where she graduated from 
Wadleigh High School.
  She had one daughter, Virginia Henson, with her late husband, Mr. 
Wallace Henson. After her husband's passing in 1969, Mrs. Henson moved 
into Co-op City with Virginia and began working for Macy's Department 
store.
  Mrs. Henson might now live alone, but she is never truly alone--since 
she is such an active member of her community.
  From a young age, she has been involved with philanthropic efforts 
such as the Young Women's Christian Association, YWCA, and the moment 
she moved into Co-op City, she began to reach out to help her 
neighbors.
  She is one of the founding members of the Community Protestant 
Church, and also served as a Board Trustee, President, and founding 
member of the Community Protestant Church's Willing Workers 
Organization.
  The ambitious Mother Henson is also a founder of the Dreiser Loop 
Retirees and a member of the local AARP Chapter, serving each 
organization with love, compassion, and understanding. And to continue 
serving others, she represents the needs of seniors in our state 
capital in Albany.
  A woman of many hobbies, Mrs. Henson is a real globe-trotter. She has 
visited countries throughout the world including Canada, Aruba, 
Switzerland, Australia, France, Germany and Brazil, just to name a few.
  She especially loves cruises, and has been on many in her lifetime. 
Mrs. Henson recharges her batteries at home with card games, and bridge 
is among her favorites.
  Throughout her 105 years, Mother Henson has survived the stock market 
crash, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the World Trade Center 
attacks on September 11, 2001. Despite these tragic events, she still 
has a positive outlook on the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I think we can all learn a lesson from her.
  There's no doubt that Mrs. Henson has seen and done a lot in her 
lifetime, but she says the greatest thing she's done was having the 
opportunity to vote for our 44th President--something she did not think 
would ever happen in her lifetime. Not only did she experience it, but 
now she is looking forward to voting in the next presidential election.
  Mrs. Henson, as one may imagine, is no ordinary woman. Her philosophy 
in life is to keep the ``pep in her step'' with ``good living, good 
friends, trusting in God, and a little tonic twice a day.'' And 
clearly, it's working.

[[Page E392]]

  A woman of strong religious faith, Mrs. Henson has said she would not 
have made it through her life's tragedies without the Lord on her side.
  But made it she has, and it is my great honor to recognize her now.
  And with that, I hope all my colleagues will join me in wishing 
Miriam Henson a happy 105th birthday, and continued health and 
happiness.
  Her unwavering leadership and accomplishments serve as an example of 
excellence to us all and will forever resonate in the community.

                          ____________________