[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 20 (Wednesday, February 3, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E105]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          JOHN AND PATRICIA MANSON'S 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS J. ROONEY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 3, 2016

  Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to wish John and 
Patricia Manson of Sun City Center, in the 17th District of Florida, a 
happy 50th wedding anniversary.
   On January 29, 2016, John and Patricia celebrated their golden 
anniversary. Fifty years together is a remarkable accomplishment and a 
testament to the love and devotion John and Patricia share. Nothing 
attests to their love better than the lives of their six children and 
eleven grandchildren.
   John and Patricia also share a long history of service. John spent 
his career as an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms 
and Explosives and came out of retirement to return to federal service 
under the Department of Homeland Security after the attacks on 
September 11, 2001. After raising five boys and one girl, Patricia 
worked as a substitute teacher and also worked with children with 
emotional and mental disabilities.
   Patricia and John Manson have also been dedicated volunteers. Both 
have spent thousands of hours as Boy Scout and Cub Scout leaders during 
their children's scouting years, serving in every role possible from 
Den Leader and Assistant Scoutmaster to Boy Scout Troop Committee 
Chairman. In retirement they have continued their volunteer work in the 
Sun City Center area with their local Catholic church as leaders in St. 
Vincent de Paul, serving the poor and vulnerable in the surrounding 
areas. In addition to their work with the Catholic Church, they also 
volunteer with the Florida Guardian Ad Litem program serving as court-
appointed advocates for vulnerable children appearing in Florida's 
dependency courts.
   Patricia and John instilled their commitment to service in their 
children, four of which served in the United States Marine Corps--where 
all but one Manson Marine saw combat in either Afghanistan or Iraq.
   It is with deep respect that I commend John and Patricia for their 
dedication to one another as well as their nation and community. It is 
an honor to represent them in Congress, and to be a part of this 
celebration. I join their children John, Christopher, Patrick, Andrew, 
Peter and Sarah in wishing them a very happy 50th wedding anniversary 
and many blessings in the years ahead.

                          ____________________