[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 97 (Tuesday, July 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1025]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE ON THE 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY OF MR. AND MRS. ANDREW SEWELL

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                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 9, 2013

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay 
tribute on the occasion of the 50th wedding anniversary of Andrew and 
Nancy Sewell, my beloved parents who celebrated this special event on 
July 2, 2013. This phenomenal couple celebrates love, marriage and 
family on this momentous occasion that began on June 15, 1963. They 
instilled family values to so many others as well to me. This golden 
wedding anniversary is a special day and it marks a half of a century 
of commitment and love for one another. We honor this milestone of 
marriage and a life well lived together.
   Their love story begins with the attraction of an outstanding 
football player in college who was Captain of the team to his beautiful 
classmate Nancy. My father says lovingly that my mother met him on the 
steps of the library and that she barely gave him the time of day. He 
remembers being drawn to her outer beauty as well as inner beauty 
noting her friendly spirit. He also said that she was studious. My 
mother recalls that my father was ``the jock of the campus'' and 
especially remembers that he was athletic and gregarious.
   After graduating college, their romance blossomed in the summer of 
1961 when Andrew was recruited as the Head Coach for Councill Training 
School in Huntsville, Alabama. His future bride was already employed at 
the school as the Head Librarian. When Andrew saw Nancy in the Library 
on the school tour before he signed the contract he immediately knew 
that he wanted to work there telling the principal yes, he would take 
the job!
   The romance led to a Valentine's Day marriage proposal in 1962 as 
Andrew asked for Nancy's hand in marriage at the Old American Legion 
Club in Huntsville, Alabama. Prior to the proposal as was custom, my 
father asked permission for my mother's hand in marriage from my 
grandfather, Reverend Tom Gardner, Jr. of Lowndes County, Alabama. This 
tradition of respect for elders in our family continues today. The 
Gardner family is a family of Christian religious leaders and this 
value of spirituality permeates our family life as my father is 
Catholic and my mother is Methodist.
   For 50 years, this exceptional couple has built a life of love 
together. They were married on June 15, 1956 and have served as a 
pillar to the communities where they have lived. Their first home was 
in Huntsville, Alabama and my mother was the Head Librarian and my 
father was the Head Coach for Councill Training School. Their 
leadership, values, commitment to community, work, and family are 
demonstrable through their actions and accomplishments.
   As first born child of my parents, I am pleased to say that while 
Coach Sewell wanted a future football player, he was thrilled with the 
addition of his ``cheerleader'' on New Year's Day in 1965. During this 
time my father was recruited to return to his beloved R. B. Hudson High 
School as Head Basketball Coach and Assistance Football, Track and 
Baseball Coach. Nancy became the Assistant Librarian and history 
teacher at R. B. Hudson High School.
   Life continued to blossom as my parents became the parents of twins 
on July 21, 1967. My parents encouraged and supported their children to 
maximize their potential, to achieve excellence, to have a strong work 
ethic and to be a blessing to others. My parents have often said that 
to those who are blessed it is their obligation to be a blessing to 
others. Through their inspiration, motivation, prayers, and strength my 
brothers are college level athletic coaches and I am serving my 2nd 
term in Congress as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. They 
cherish three beautiful grandchildren: Neshambia, Taylor and Carter. 
Neshambia is a sophomore at the University of Alabama, Taylor will be 
in 6th grade and Carter will be in 3rd grade this year.
   Andrew and Nancy Sewell continue to be excellent role models that 
lead by example. They reach out to family, friends and community 
teaching their children and now grandchildren the importance of doing 
the same. This becomes part of the fabric of our lives, interwoven into 
who the children are and what they will become. Families work together 
to solve problems, and they believe in the importance of passing their 
values and skills on to the next generation.
   Andrew's successful and productive career as a Coach continued for 
33 years in Huntsville and Selma, Alabama. Nancy, in addition to being 
Head Librarian in the school system, she was the first African-American 
woman elected to the Selma City Council, serving 12 years; the Alpha 
Kappa Alpha (AKA) South Eastern Regional Director for 4 years; and AKA 
International Secretary for 4 years.
  Marriage is a bond that lasts a lifetime. For my parents it is based 
on a foundation of love, spiritual belief, common goals and family 
values. Their love story nourishes one in understanding that this 
sacred union brought together their hearts, minds and souls. The 
laughter, love and joy continue today as we acknowledge with a grateful 
heart the 50th Wedding Anniversary of my parents, Andrew and Nancy 
Sewell.
   On behalf of the State of Alabama, and this nation, I ask my 
colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in 
celebrating the Golden Anniversary of my parents who are extraordinary 
Americans and Alabama treasures!

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