[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 179 (Friday, November 8, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF NORMA MALONE COOK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 8, 2019

  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments of Norma Malone Cook of Huron, Ohio. On Sunday, 
November 17, 2019, the Huron United Methodist Church will honor Norma 
for 50 years of service to their congregation.
  Norma began playing the organ at age 15 for the Huron United 
Methodist Church on September 14, 1969.
  Norma tells the story of the night that her parents dropped her off 
at the church to practice music and forgot to pick her up. She recalled 
the darkness and the sounds of the heat registers, and, there being no 
telephone near the choir loft, Norma just waited at the back door until 
her apologetic father showed up around midnight. Despite that event, 
Norma continued to serve her church with a smile.
  There have been many changes at the Huron United Methodist Church 
during the time that Norma has served, and she has improvised and 
changed alongside the church. One such change that marked the end of an 
era was in 1995, when the Hemry Organ Company increased the organ from 
7 to 11 ranks, which made the organ four feet higher and moved to 
another location. Previously, the organist was in a sunken pit and 
could not see the activity of the sanctuary aisles. The organist relied 
on taking cues from the minister as to when music should commence or 
end, making it extremely difficult to play for a wedding as one could 
not see the bride walking down the aisle. Norma and Rev. Carothers 
formulated a communication strategy during his ministry by which the 
Reverend would crack open the parlor folding doors to bare the light. 
He would switch the light on and off as the cue for Norma to start the 
Wedding March. The wedding observers in the pew never suspected 
anything.
  Over the decades, Norma has brought over 300 brides down the aisle 
for weddings and comforted more than 400 families with funeral music.
  An active member of the Huron United Methodist Church congregation, 
Norma works with choirs of all ages and serves on multiple church 
committees. She always brings a sense of humor to choir rehearsals and 
helps make music fun for all who work with her or hear her play.
  Norma has played ecumenical services at almost every church in Huron, 
serving as an asset to the entire Huron community.
  Norma has been married to her husband Ron for over 35 years. Norma 
has three children and three grandchildren.
  We congratulate Norma on all her accomplishments and dedication to 
her service to the Huron United Methodist Church and the entire Huron 
community.

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