[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 120 (Monday, September 10, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1467]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            JIM AND BOBBIE MELLO'S 70TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 10, 2012

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and honor Jim 
and Bobbie Mello on the occasion of their 70th Wedding Anniversary 
which they celebrated on September 6, 2012.
  James Mello, born in Turlock on April 18, 1922, was destined to meet 
Barbara (Bobbie) McDonald, born in Turlock on April 12, 1926. Fate 
finally intervened on a summer day when they met when she was 
picnicking at Crane Park. Jim came by riding his horse and spotted her. 
Being a 20 year-old romantic, he devised a plan to meet Bobbie. The 
plan was to come back a while later and throw watermelons at her. Well, 
it worked perfectly, and Jim and Bobbie were married about two months 
later.
  The plan was to borrow the best man's car and drive to Minden, Nevada 
on September 5, 1942, to marry. However, on that day, the best man had 
his tires repossessed. Undaunted, they borrowed the car of Jim's 
employer, drove to Minden, and were married the next day.
  Two months later, in November, Jim left to join the U.S. Army. Bobbie 
moved back to live with her Grandmother, who had raised her and her 
younger sister, Gloria, since they were very young children. Three 
years later, Jim returned from World War II, where he served as a 
tanker under General George Patton and was in the famous ``Battle of 
the Bulge.''
  After his return from service, he worked for Turlock Trenching 
Company. Jim and his brother-in-law, Clinton Hayes, bought the company 
in 1951 and ran it out of Jim and Bobbie's 10 acre ranch for many 
years. In 1987, Jim went to work for Swanson Farms until his retirement 
in 2003.
  After Jim retired, he and Bobbie moved into their present home in the 
city of Turlock. They have two daughters--their eldest daughter is 
Sandra, married to Steve Vieira. Sandy and Steve just celebrated their 
49th anniversary. Their youngest daughter, Janice, married Bob Borba. 
Jan and Bob will soon celebrate their 47th anniversary. Jim and Bobbie 
have four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
  In addition to running their own business, Jim and Bobbie were very 
involved in their community. Jim served 30 years as a volunteer fireman 
and retired as Assistant Chief of Turlock Rural Fire Department. They 
both are lifetime members of the Turlock Horsemen's Club and belong to 
several organizations including American Legion, VFW, Native Daughters 
of the Golden West, and have volunteered for many organizations and 
causes over the years. They serve as great role models for their 
family.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the partnership, love, and 
trust that aided Jim and Bobbie in reaching this milestone of an 
anniversary. Congratulations on the past 70 years, and I wish you the 
best success in the years to come.

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