[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 199 (Thursday, December 12, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1585-E1586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CONGRATULATING MR. AND MRS. DONALD COLE

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 12, 2019

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, I want to express my sincere 
congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Cole on the occasion of their 
50th wedding anniversary on December 14, 2019.
  Donald Dwight Cole and Edna Earl Mize married on December 14, 1969 at 
Millport Church of Christ. Their story began when they met in study 
hall as juniors in high school, where they were the only students in 
the class. Don grew up Millport, AL, while Edna grew up all over the 
country as the daughter of a U.S. Air Force veteran until the military 
brought her to Millport in 1965. It is the classic love story. Don, the 
football player, and Edna, soon to become Homecoming Queen, fell in 
love as high school sweethearts and soon found themselves at the 
University of Alabama.
  After college graduation Don was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force 
and Edna began teaching English. Over the next few decades the Air 
Force would station them in Aurora, CO; Goldsboro, NC; Washington, DC; 
Uijeongbu, South Korea; Colorado Springs, CO; Nashville, TN; back to 
Colorado Springs, CO, and then to their last tour back in Bowie, MD.
  In their retirement years they continue to serve in their church, 
Columbus Church of Christ, run the consignment store Cole's 
Collections, serve on the South Lamar Rescue Squad, Millport Chamber of 
Commerce and the C3 Northwest Alabama Economic Alliance.
  They learned their strong faith, work and personal ethics from 
parents, which they've also taught by example to their two children, 
Eric Lee Cole (Kensington, MD) and Emily Cole Monahan (Columbus, MS). 
They have always stayed close to their roots and family in Lamar 
County, and remain avid Alabama football fans. Celebrated now by their 
2 children (Eric and Emily), 2 grandchildren Thomas Cole Monahan 
(Columbus, MS) and Ryan Lee Cole (Kensington, MD) . . . theirs is truly 
a love story of obedience to God, loyalty and perseverance.
  Fifty years later their love story, and the Air Force, have taken 
them all over the world and

[[Page E1586]]

included countless adventures and friends, but they will tell you that 
their faith and their family has been their greatest blessing. Back on 
November 24, 2019, their children hosted a 50th Wedding Anniversary 
reception from 2:00 to 4:00 at Columbus Church of Christ in Columbus, 
Mississippi.
  As the Cole's representative to Congress, I send them my best wishes 
and my prayers that they will have many more happy years together.

                          ____________________