[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 141 (Tuesday, November 18, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1609-E1610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING COL CHARLES POWELL'S AND MS. JOANNE POWELL'S 60TH WEDDING 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. K. MICHAEL CONAWAY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2014

  Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Colonel Charles 
Powell and Mrs. Joanne Powell on celebrating their 60th wedding 
anniversary. It is an honor to recognize the lives of two distinguished 
citizens in San Angelo, Texas.
   The Powells first met when they were in the same preschool class in 
Nashville, Arkansas and their love for each other grew throughout their 
grade school and high school years. Shortly after completing his 
appointment at the Naval Academy, Charles commissioned into the Air 
Force as a pilot, while Joanne completed her degree at Southern 
Arkansas University. Shortly after, the couple wedded on December 21, 
1954.
   Charles' decorated career in the Air Force eventually led the 
Powells to San Angelo. Charles served as the base commander of 
Goodfellow Air Force Base from 1980-1984. Soon after their arrival, the 
Powells' impact could be felt by the communities of San Angelo and 
Goodfellow. When they moved to San Angelo, Charles was ordered to help 
Goodfellow avoid closure and the displacement of many service members 
from the community they had grown to love. The impacts of Charles' 
career can still be felt today at Goodfellow Air Force Base, as it 
serves as a training school for thousands of service members from 
across all branches to train in cryptology, intelligence, and 
firefighting. After his retirement from the Air Force, Charles went on 
to serve as vice president of Southwest Bank, known today as First 
Financial. Along with serving the community as a banker, Charles, as 
well as Joanne, sit on several different boards that help San Angelo 
continue to be a model community in our nation.
   Joanne has assisted constituents in my district office my entire 
tenure, a service that started long ago while working for both Rep. Tom 
Loeffler and Rep. Lamar Smith. One of the several duties Joanne has 
helped with is our annual military service academy nominations, which 
is a year round process for her. With Joanne's assistance, many of the 
young men and women in our district go on to serve our nation and 
attend one of our distinguished service academies. Her compassion and 
dedication has made her a special piece of my team. Words cannot 
express how grateful I am of her dedication to the community.
   Charles' and Joanne's love of San Angelo has made them institutional 
figures in the community. In numerous initiatives to help the 
community, they have often been the bridge joining San Angelo and 
Goodfellow. Joanne and Charles' commitment to San Angelo, the state of 
Texas and this nation is the same commitment that they show to each 
other, and that is what makes their relationship with the community 
special.
   Along with San Angelo, Suzanne, and I hold a special place in our 
hearts for the Powells. The Powells' commitment and faith to each other 
has set an example for all of us to be inspired by. I am happy to have 
the opportunity to help celebrate this special day. Their love for one 
another and their community represents an important part of the San 
Angelo story. Again, I offer my congratulations to Joanne and Charles--
Happy 60th Anniversary!

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