[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 21, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H5318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF LaVERNE GRELL

  (Mr. LaMALFA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to note the passing of a 
true gem, a jewel to northern California, LaVerne Grell of Yuba City.
  Now, my family has the unique experience of having my grandmother, 
Marjorie, and LaVerne born on the same day in the very same small town 
amidst the rice fields of northern California.
  My grandmother, Marjorie, and LaVerne spent many years together 
celebrating birthdays, music, life, and friends. We were blessed with 
my grandmother for 77 years. But LaVerne, in northern California, we 
were blessed with for 100 years.
  So LaVerne's loss indeed makes a big ripple. She made a big ripple in 
her life with all the people she touched and her love of music.
  Indeed, she was a talented musician and freely gave her time and her 
talent for decades through teaching music at Yuba College, 
participating in Handel's Messiah for almost 75 years and playing the 
organ at Marysville's First Presbyterian Church for 20 years.
  Indeed, when we lose somebody, we have what we call a celebration of 
life. Her celebration of life was last November when she reached her 
100th birthday, and she had the best party I have ever seen with an 
orchestra, cellos, and everything. She got on the keyboard herself and 
showed us what 100 years of life and vigor in northern California looks 
like.
  We will miss her, but we will always smile when we think of LaVerne 
Grell.

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