[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 141 (Tuesday, November 18, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING MABEL KOONTZ OF BEDFORD, PENNSYLVANIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2014

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of my 
constituent and lifelong Bedford, Pennsylvania resident Mabel Koontz. 
Mabel, who is 92 years young, represents a symbol of how special our 
right to vote is in the United States and how important it is that 
every American citizen's voice is heard on Election Day.
   Since 1943, when Mabel turned 21, she has never missed a vote. Over 
these years Mabel has casted her vote during some of America's most 
historic moments. She has been there as the 26th Amendment, which gave 
18 year olds the right to vote, was enacted. She has also been at the 
polls as the American people have chosen leaders such as Ronald Reagan 
to move our nation forward. While our country has faced its challenges 
over the years, Mabel has never missed an opportunity to select elected 
officials at all levels of office to help our nation become stronger 
every time we faced adversity.
   Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, ``Nobody will ever deprive the 
American people of the right to vote except the American people 
themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting.'' 
These comments hold true to today and Mabel Koontz is a signature 
example of how special her dedication and belief in democracy has been 
for all of these years. Her perfect record should be a lesson and 
reminder to all who cast their vote every year.
   I again am honored to recognize Mabel Koontz of Bedford for this 
remarkable achievement. Mabel's voice has been heard many times and 
because of people like her this nation remains today--the greatest the 
world has ever known.

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