[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 89 (Thursday, June 4, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO GERTIE WEBB OF SALEM, OREGON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 4, 2015

  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to take this opportunity to pay 
tribute to a dear friend of mine who passed away on March 17th of this 
year. I first met Gertie Webb when her oldest daughter and I worked for 
former Congressman Denny Smith of Oregon. Subsequently, I developed my 
long lasting friendship with Gertie when she worked for me while I 
served as the Oregon House Majority Leader.
  Gertie was the youngest of nine children--five brothers and four 
sisters. Their father was a laborer while their mother tended to the 
needs of the family and the house. Gertie came along shortly before the 
onset of the Depression and was old enough to watch her brothers leave 
the home to serve in World War II. While those were challenging years 
for an entire generation, those were also the defining years of Gertie 
Webb's life.
  During her childhood years, Gertie was expected to perform her fair 
share of the chores around the house. By age 13, she was driving the 
family car to the store to purchase the groceries. When she returned 
from her babysitting jobs, she would place much of her money in the 
family jar. It wasn't until she was ready to enroll in high school that 
her mother returned most of the money so Gertie could attend St. Mary's 
Academy in Portland, Oregon. Those were tough times, but whenever 
Gertie spoke of her youth, there always seemed to be a positive message 
in what she said.
  In 1953, Gertie married Charles Webb in Portland, Oregon where they 
resided until 1964. With their three young children--Sue, Jan and 
Bill--they then moved to Salem where Gertie lived for almost 50 years. 
Charles passed away in 1982 and shortly after their college years, the 
kids scattered in different directions. That is when Gertie returned to 
the working world, including jobs with Congressman Denny Smith and at 
the Oregon legislature.
  My last visit with Gertie took place at a nursing home where she 
lived her final three years. These were not sad years but years filled 
with many friendships and positive memories. She was an active 
resident, always offering assistance in organizing field trips, social 
events and other activities for her fellow residents. She would start 
out every morning in the chapel attending daily religious services.
  Gertie's faith was the bedrock of who she was. Not one to wear it on 
her sleeve, Gertie instead manifested her faith through her actions 
towards others. A good listener, she had a particular interest in the 
concerns and needs of the less fortunate. When she would say that she 
would offer her prayers for someone suffering from a hardship, she 
truly meant it.
  And then there is Gertie Webb, the sports guru. Mr. Speaker, this 
woman knew sports better than anyone I've ever known. Football. 
Baseball. Basketball. Golf. It didn't matter what sport, Gertie could 
tell you what teams were ahead in the standings or what golfer had the 
best shot at winning the U.S. Open. I was told that some of the nursing 
home staff would frequently visit Gertie's room for a rundown on the 
scores. Her favorite team was Notre Dame. Few things caused her as much 
stress as the Irish facing defeat. Rather than watching the final 
outcome, she would turn off the TV and rely on one of her children or a 
close friend to give her the final score.
  Gertie leaves behind many family members and friends. I offer my 
condolences to Sue, Jan and Bill following the death of their mother. 
Someday, we will all face the same fate as Gertie. When my day comes, I 
can only hope to be as willing to accept the journey as my friend 
Gertie. Her faith carried her through a remarkable 85-year journey and 
I am so thankful that I was able to encounter her during her journey. 
She was a dear friend to many, and a loving and caring mother of three 
and grandmother of five.

                          ____________________