[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE TO EDWARD AND VERGENE DONOVAN

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                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 31, 2012

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Edward 
Donovan, and his wife, Vergene Donovan, on the special occasion of 
their 70th wedding anniversary. This special day will take place on 
August 24, 2012, and they will be celebrating this landmark occasion on 
August 26th in Spirit Lake, Iowa.
   Mr. and Mrs. Edward Donovan met by chance in southern California in 
July of 1942. A 19-year-old Edward approached a pretty 18-year-old girl 
named Vergene on the street and asked if he recognized her from Iowa. 
She confirmed she was from Spirit Lake, and the two spent the rest of 
the afternoon getting to know each other over soda at a nearby drug 
store. When Edward made it home that night, he told his best friend he 
had met the girl he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Edward 
proposed to Vergene on their second date, and they have never looked 
back since saying ``I do'' in Long Beach, California on August 24, 
1942.
   After moving back to Iowa, Edward began work with a small fishing 
supply company known as Berkley and Company in 1950. Over his time with 
Berkley, Edward's creativity, passion and coordination helped lead the 
company to international expansion and dominance in the fishing 
industry. Edward would eventually leave Berkley as the Executive 
Officer of Operations in 1987. Meanwhile, Vergene discovered a strong 
passion for politics and continues to be involved with the Dickinson 
County Republican Party and Republican Women.
   Edward and Vergene currently reside in rural Orleans, Iowa and have 
raised four children--Edward, Jim, DeEtte, and Scott. Their children 
have blessed them with nineteen grandchildren and sixteen great-
grandchildren. The Donovan's continue to be an active and important 
part of their community and it is truly an honor to represent them in 
the United States Congress.
   Edward and Vergene's lifelong commitment to each other and their 
family truly embodies Iowa's values. I salute this lovely couple on 
their 70th year of life together and I wish them many more. I know my 
colleagues in the United States House will join me in congratulating 
them on this momentous occasion.

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