[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 102 (Thursday, June 15, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E830]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE 75TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY OF JAMES AND MADELINE PETRASKE, 
            RESIDENTS OF NISKAYUNA IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PAUL TONKO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 15, 2017

  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 75th Wedding 
Anniversary of James and Madeline Petraske of Niskayuna, New York.
  James and Madeline met when James--who was dating a friend of 
Madeline's--offered her a ride home from her job at the National 
Baseball Manufacturing Company in Schenectady, New York.
  The couple married two years later on Flag Day, June 14, 1942.
  In 1944, as World War II raged on around the world, James and 
Madeline answered the call to serve. James left his job at General 
Electric to serve our country overseas. Madeline joined the war effort 
here at home as a nurse aid for the Red Cross.
  The two wrote to each other regularly until James returned home on 
June 25, 1946. James returned to his job at General Electric where he 
worked until he retired as a Manager of Shop Operations in 1961.
  In addition to their service to our country, James and Madeline 
volunteered with Meals On Wheels throughout their lives, stopping only 
after Madeline and James had turned 89 and 90, respectively. Madeline, 
at the age of 97, continues to volunteer for the Disabled American 
Veterans.
  James and Madeline are the proud parents of three children, five 
grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and one great great 
grandchild.
  Each night before they go to sleep, James tells Madeline she is the 
best thing that ever happened to him.
  Congratulations to James and Madeline on their 75th Wedding 
Anniversary. We thank them for their lifetimes of service to their 
community and country.

                          ____________________