[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 132 (Friday, August 2, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERYL KELLEY SCHAAF

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SCOTT R. TIPTON

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 2019

  Mr. TIPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a pioneer and a 
standout citizen of Durango, Colorado, Peryl Schaaf. Peryl began her 
life as a homesteader in southwest Colorado and eventually served as 
one of the highest officer positions at the Bank of Durango.
  Peryl is the daughter of two homesteading families in Durango, CO. 
She eloped and married her husband, Ernie Schaaf, at the age of 
fifteen, on August 20, 1939. The couple had four children, nine 
grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Her family was full of 
strong hardworking women including her Aunt, Olga Little, a local 
mining legend and a trailblazer.
  Peryl was no stranger to hard work herself. She started working at 
the young age of six. She was the family homemaker while her mother 
taught at remote one room school houses. She worked as a gas pump 
attendant at her father's station during World War II, and years later, 
started a job at the Bank of Durango as a teller. Despite being paid 
only half of what her male counterparts made, her hard work did not go 
unnoticed by her colleagues or management and she eventually rose 
through the ranks to serve as the Vice President of the bank.
  Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to honor Peryl. As a renowned 
storyteller in her community, Peryl will continue to highlight her 
remarkable life through the Durango Native Stories--a reoccurring 
public series offering first-hand recollections of personal stories 
from Durango locals. Her life of hard work, perseverance and 
achievement is worthy of commendation and I am proud to honor her 
legacy.

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