[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 99 (Thursday, June 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             A TRIBUTE TO FRANK McCREA ON HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY

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                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 28, 2012

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
American, Frank McCrea, on the celebration of his 90th birthday.
  Frank McCrea is a member of what we have rightfully come to call The 
Greatest Generation. He is everything we have come to celebrate about 
that celebrated group: a devoted son, brother and father; an 
unquestioning patriot; an extraordinary servant to his faith; and a 
true citizen of his community.
  Frank McCrea and his 5 brothers and sisters were raised in the depths 
of the Great Depression. Often, they had nothing more for dinner than 
the vegetables they grew in their own garden. Yet Frank will reflect on 
those years not about hardship and deprivation, but about how the love 
of a close family lit them from within.
  When the War came, Frank did not hesitate: he volunteered for the 
Navy, and served his country with honor. As one who personally has had 
her life saved by those who choose to serve our nation, I speak with 
special emphasis in expressing our country's eternal debt to those who 
serve in our armed forces.
  Faith has been at the core of Frank's life. He has long been a deacon 
of his church and has been an active member of the Gideon Society for 
over 40 years. All of us who have come into Frank's remarkable orbit 
have felt the bond Frank has with his faith, and have come to know the 
special peace that faith has given to him.
  Another cornerstone for Frank has been friendship. I know that this 
weekend he will be surrounded by a legion of true friends, a number who 
have been connected to Frank since high school--over 70 years ago. I 
think Frank can honestly boast that he has never lost a friend, and the 
number that he has gained is almost too large to measure.
  But central to Frank McCrea is being a magnificent father. In his 
local community theater, Frank has been cast as a dad over 15 times--
for good reason. His daughters Karen, Christine and Beth have all gone 
on to raise children of their own and lead significant lives, but they 
all point to the bedrock of love from their father and mother that 
launched them. I truly believe that all of us would regard as our 
greatest accomplishment if our children were to feel about us as his 
daughters feel about him.
  In sum, Mr. Speaker, let me say that we are indeed fortunate to have 
citizens like Frank McCrea and that I join his church, his community, 
his friends and his family in wishing him the happiest of birthdays.

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