[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 80 (Thursday, May 19, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E754]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN RECOGNITION OF MARY SHIPP HARROW AND MARTHA SHIPP AVERETT

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 19, 2016

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my 
sincerest congratulations and Happy Birthday wishes to Mrs. Mary Shipp 
Harrow and Mrs. Martha Shipp Averett, both of whom will celebrate their 
100th birthday on Saturday, July 2, 2016. On that special day, the 
sisters will be honored with a birthday celebration at the Columbus 
Georgia Convention & Trade Center in Columbus, Georgia.
  The identical twins were born on July 2, 1916 in Cusseta, Georgia to 
the late Martha Walker Shipp and the late Quilbert Pinchback Shipp. 
They were raised in a Christian home where the twins were the oldest of 
eight children. From an early age, the sisters were active in their 
community and in their first church home, Harmony Baptist Church in 
Cusseta, Georgia. They completed their primary and secondary education 
in the Chattahoochee County School District.
  Mrs. Averett was married to the late Reverend Jessie Averett, Sr. and 
is the mother of six daughters: Geraldine Parris, Lucy Mae Baldwin, 
Essie Francis, Amanda Thornton, Ida Mae Boykins, and Martha Ann 
Patterson; and four sons: Jessie Averett, Jr., James Averett, Jeffrey 
Averett, and the late John Henry Averett. She has 21 grandchildren, 28 
great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Averett 
remains in the Cusseta community and is a dedicated and faithful member 
of Saint Paul CME Church.
  Mrs. Harrow was married to the late Isaac Daniel Harrow, Sr. and is 
the mother of five daughters: Evelyn Gash, Christine Jones, Pauline 
Talley, Beverly Caldwell and Gerri Jones; and two sons: the late Isaac 
Harrow, Jr. and the late Marion Harrow. She is the grandmother of 21 
grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-
grandchildren. Mrs. Harrow is a dedicated and faithful member of 
Galilee Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia.
  Mahatma Gandhi once said, ``Where there is love there is life.'' Mrs. 
Harrow and Mrs. Averett are a true testament that giving and receiving 
great love has resulted in long and prosperous lives. Their legacy is a 
love for God, a love for family, and a love for each other.
  The race of life isn't given to the swift or to the strong, but to 
those who endure until the end. Mrs. Averett and Mrs. Harrow continue 
to run the race of life with grace and dignity and God has blessed them 
over their lifetimes.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring these 
devoted sisters, beloved matriarchs, and outstanding women of faith, 
Mrs. Mary Shipp Harrow and Mrs. Martha Shipp Averett, as they, their 
families and their community prepare to celebrate their 100th birthday.

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