[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 195 (Friday, December 6, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE HONORING VICTORIA BARNES ANDERSON

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                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 6, 2019

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and wish a 
happy birthday to a Centenarian and constituent who serves as an 
example for how we all might live to see 100 years of life. Mrs. 
Victoria Barnes Anderson is celebrating this remarkable milestone on 
December 23, 2019, an added blessing during our nation's most joyous 
season.
  The daughter of a foreman, Mrs. Anderson grew up on a sharecropper's 
farm in Pineville, South Carolina, and was the fifth of eight children 
born to parents, William and Mariah Barnes. She attended Barhill 
Elementary School and later Dubass in Bonneau. She was forced to quit 
school in the sixth grade when the bus service stopped. However, she 
later went back to school at night so she could help her children with 
their homework.
  She was married to the late James Anderson, and the couple was 
blessed with eight children. To support the family, she was a domestic 
worker earning just $5 to $10 per day. The family did not have much, 
but never went without. The Andersons were able to put three children 
through college, an accomplishment she attributes to the Grace of God.
  Since she was a young child, Mrs. Anderson has had a great faith. She 
attended Sunday School and church at the Good Shepherd Reformed 
Episcopal Church until her marriage, when she joined Bethel United 
Methodist Church. She has been a member there for 81 years, 
participating in many ministries: Junior and Senior Choir, Vice 
President and President of United Women, Women's Day Program 
Chairperson, Prayer Band Member, and Harvest Day Program Co-Founder. 
Mrs. Anderson frequently says, ``I've been serving the Lord a long, 
long time, and I'm not tired yet.''
  During her more active days, Mrs. Anderson had a number of hobbies 
such as gardening, canning, and cooking. She still cooks from time to 
time with family assistance. Mrs. Anderson enjoys singing and her 
favorite song is ``Your Grace and Mercy.'' As a devout Christian, Mrs. 
Anderson's favorite book is the Bible, and her favorite scripture is 
Psalm 27, ``The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?''
  Mrs. Anderson has lived through six wars and 18 presidents. She says 
the proudest moment in her life was witnessing the election of 
President Barack Obama. Mrs. Anderson never imagined she would see the 
election of the first African American President of the United States 
of America. Her response was simply, ``Look at God.''
  In addition to her 8 children, she has 30 grandchildren, 68 great-
grandchildren, and 49 great-great-grandchildren who love and cherish 
her.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in offering 
congratulations and a special happy 100th birthday to Victoria Barnes 
Anderson. Her longevity has set an example for all of us and inspires 
us to persevere no matter the circumstances. I am pleased to honor her 
for her lifelong devotion to faith and family.

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