[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 47 (Thursday, March 19, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MARGARET HARFIELD

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. THEODORE E. DEUTCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 19, 2015

  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Margaret Harfield, who 
is celebrating her 105th birthday this month. Margaret is a remarkable 
woman who has made significant contributions to the film industry, 
where she established herself as one of the first female professionals 
in a field once dominated by men.
  Margaret grew up in New Jersey, where she had the special privilege 
of working with the world-renowned escape-artist Harry Houdini as his 
projectionist and assistant film editor. At a time when few women were 
able to enter the film industry, Harfield's unprecedented work for Mr. 
Houdini and beyond demonstrated her extraordinary talent, hard work and 
dedication to her profession. Margaret continued to break barriers with 
her work on movie tone newsreels and national commercials, later 
joining the film technicians union where she continued to thrive as an 
editor. Later, she became one of the founders of the National Film 
Editors Guild. In 1944, Margaret became an assistant editor for 
Paramount News and was quickly promoted to be an editor for the Life 
Stories Divisions, where she worked on film biographies used in 
newscasts and movie theatre reels. Margaret married the love of her 
life and late husband Harry Hartfield in 1933, and lived together with 
him in Florida for more than 50 years.
  Today, Harfield still lives in South Florida where she is a proud 
mother, grandmother and great grandmother. 105 years young, she is 
still an active member of her community and can be found at the local 
Bingo hall every Tuesday night and at many other functions across town.
  It is a privilege, Mr. Speaker, to represent a district with citizens 
like Margaret Harfield. Harfield is a woman of great accomplishment, 
and I am incredibly pleased she is continuing to enrich the lives of 
those around her. On behalf of my entire district and the United States 
Congress, Happy Birthday, Margaret!

                          ____________________