[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 65 (Monday, April 23, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF THE 100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION OF ALFONSON L. CAMPBELL

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                           HON. ANDRE CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 23, 2018

  Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize 
Alfonson L. Campbell.
  Mr. C, as his family and friends affectionately call him, is 
celebrating his 100th birthday. He was born on the Theo Baker Dairy 
Farm in Culpepper, Virginia on April 20, 1918. His father, who was 
white, and his mother who was black, raised 5 children in a two-room 
farmhouse.
  At a very young age, Mr. Campbell helped his father on the farm by 
shoveling hay, milking cows and feeding chickens. He also spent his 
childhood gathering wood for the stove, storing milk in the well to 
keep cool, stuffing bedding with hay to use as mattresses, and breaking 
ice that formed on a nearby lake to store meat and hunted opossum. Mr. 
Campbell walked over a mile to attend a one-room school, where the 
teacher was also his preacher.
  His father took care of the farm to pay his debts to the property 
owner and left the farm after the debt was paid. A few years later, Mr. 
Campbell also left the farm at 16 years old to begin a new life in 
Washington, DC.
  Mr. Campbell joined the Army and served seven years in the Army 
National Guard. During his time of service, he participated in the 
Korean War Conflict. After leaving the military, he followed his 
childhood dream of becoming an automobile mechanic. He was the favorite 
amongst his co-workers, always teaching them the `tricks of the trade.' 
His intelligence, mechanical skills and his ethics were so impressive 
that his boss rewarded him with $100.00 when the business closed. His 
love for cars secured him an auto-mechanic job with the District of 
Columbia Government for 45 years. Upon retiring from the DC government, 
Mr. Campbell went on to operate a successful lawn service business for 
16 years.
  Mr. Campbell credits his longevity to his faith in Jesus Christ and 
love of life. He enjoys fishing, tinkering with cars, eating the three 
C's (cabbage, collard greens and cornbread), and enjoyed travels with 
his late wife to various destinations such as Africa, Acapulco, Aruba, 
Germany and Hawaii. His greatest loves now are his son, daughter, six 
grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and Jesus Christ.
  Mr. Alfonson L. Campbell turned 100 years old on April 20, 2018. I 
ask my colleagues to join me in extending our warmest birthday 
greetings to him and wishing him many more healthy and happy years.

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