[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 59 (Thursday, April 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E452-E453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN MEMORY OF MRS. JOHNIE MAE SITTONEN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 12, 2018

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today alongside my friend, 
Congressman Rick Crawford, to pay tribute to Johnie Mae Sittonen, a 
World War II veteran and Des Arc, Arkansas native who passed away in 
January of this year. Throughout her life, Johnie Mae Sittonen served 
her country, her Arkansas community, and her family selflessly.
   Johnie Mae Sittonen was born in Biscoe, Arkansas in 1924. In 1942, 
she graduated from Des Arc High School as an exemplary student and 
enrolled at Arkansas State University. As a young woman, Johnie Mae was 
one of the great Americans who volunteered to serve our nation. She 
joined the U.S. Navy in 1944, at the height of World War II. During her 
service, she met and married Paul Sittonen. After several years in 
Massachusetts, she and her husband Paul returned to Des Arc in 1959 to 
raise their five children and run a family farm.
   Johnie Mae Sittonen spent many years serving her Arkansas community. 
For more than 20 years, she worked in the Des Arc Schools as the 
cafeteria supervisor before retiring in 1986. A committed member of the 
First United Methodist Church in Des Arc, she taught Sunday School, 
sang in the choir, and served as an active member of United Methodist 
Women. She was a lifelong Democrat,

[[Page E453]]

and served as both the Chair of the Prairie County Democratic Women's 
Group and as an active member of the Retired Teachers Association.
   Johnie Mae Sittonen's hard work for those in her community did not 
go unnoticed. She was honored as the Outstanding Community Citizen in 
1972 and the Des Arc High School Citizen of the Year in 1983, and later 
received Baptist Health's Amazing Sprit Award in 2006.
   A member of the ``Greatest Generation,'' Johnie Mae Sittonen is an 
example of American excellence, servant-hearted kindness, and 
commitment to service. She will be deeply missed, not only by her 
family and loved ones, but also by the northeast Arkansas community she 
served throughout her life.

                          ____________________