[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 9, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H5291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ELSIE WAITES

  (Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Mrs. Elsie Waites, who passed away on May 28, 2019.
  Mrs. Waites was a native Louisianan from Gloster and was born on May 
9, 1920. Throughout her life, she was always known as someone who loved 
and cared for those around her.
  Of her many accomplishments, Mrs. Waites was an avid volunteer in her 
local community, helping young children achieve their dreams. She also 
took it upon herself to organize a local quartet group, where she sang 
for several years traveling throughout the State.
  While Mrs. Waites lived an extraordinary life dedicated and devoted 
to service and compassion, her first priority was always her family. 
She was a loving mother and grandmother to 8 children, 21 
grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren.
  One of Mrs. Waites' children, Mrs. Barbara Norton, is my good friend 
and former colleague in the Louisiana House of Representatives.
  I wish to extend my sincere and deepest sympathies to all of the 
family and friends whose lives were blessed by Mrs. Waites. I pray that 
God's grace gives them comfort during this time, and that they are able 
to reflect on all the joyful memories that she provided.
  Proverbs 31 reminds us that:

       A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for 
     all that her hands have done . . . Her children arise and 
     call her blessed.

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