[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 50 (Thursday, March 21, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E330-E331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN HENRY HAGGINS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 2019

  Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of 
John Henry Haggins, who passed away recently at 102 years of age.
  John was born in Raleigh, NC on February 15, 1917 to Dorsey 
McAllister and William Haggins. John grew up in Raleigh with seven 
siblings and first moved to his eventual home, Washington, D.C, in the 
1930s, following his older brothers to find work.
  His natural skill and ingenuity led John to a long and storied career 
in engineering and construction. He worked with C.W. Freitag 
Construction Co. and George Hyman (now Clark) Construction Co., moving 
to cities in West Virginia, South Carolina and New York throughout that 
career. While his time in West Virginia was spent doing some of the 
hardest work of his professional life, it was well worth the effort 
when he met his future wife, Lorene Epps. The pair were married on 
September 14, 1945 after a long courtship and remained together until 
John's passing, raising four children in the Northeast Washington, DC 
home that John would later build by hand.
  After more than 30 years of hard and dedicated work, John retired 
from Clark Construction Co. as the Concrete Superintendent in 1987. He 
remained a member of the Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons, 
America's oldest building and construction trades international union.
  Over the course of his 102 years, John and Lorene built a large and 
loving family that will continue to carry his legacy, including 
children Shirley, Phyllis Joann, Cynthia Jean, Pamala Francine, and 
John Anthony; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and three 
great-great-grandchildren.

[[Page E331]]

  Madam Speaker, I send my condolences to the family and friends of 
John Haggins. I ask that my colleagues join me in commemorating his 
incredible life and legacy.
  Rest in peace, John.

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