[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 127 (Monday, July 20, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E647-E648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING FRANCIE COMBS IOWAN OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 20, 2020

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in celebrating Mrs. Francine Combs for her 
decades of hard work in her community and her 100th birthday this month 
by naming her our Iowan of the Week.
  Francine started working as a waitress when she was only 18. She 
worked at The Joy Ann, a restaurant of the northwest side of the square 
in Greenfield, Iowa whose local claim to fame was being the first 
eatery in town to have a juke box. From those first table at The Joy 
Ann, Francine's tenacity and dedication to her work and the community 
took off.
  Over the course of her 65 years as a waitress; Francine worked at 
several other eateries--all the while raising four sons--John, Dan, 
David and Dennis--with her husband Frank.
  Francine's son John Combs and his wife Phyllis recalled that, ``Every 
restaurant there ever was in Greenfield, she was a waitress there.'' 
Diners and patrons in Greenfield came to know and love Francine as a 
staple of their community.
  A significant portion of Francine's decades of waitressing were at 
the Maid-Rite Cafe--an Iowa community staple for nearly three 
generations and a venerated home to our famous loose meat sandwiches. 
In all her years, if Francine ever learned the secrets behind the Maid-
Rite's incredible rendition of this classic Iowa sandwich, she still 
hasn't told.
  In honoring Francine today, I want to underscore the values of hard 
work, attentiveness, and interpersonal skills that serving Iowa's 
hungry families teaches to everyone working in the hospitality 
industry. As a former waitress myself, I know how much I learned from 
the long hours on my feet and the diligent yet delicate work that is 
required of any food service professional--and I am so proud to 
recognize one who embodies that Iowa work ethic through decades 
ofservice to her thousands of patrons.
  In 2004, Francine hung up her apron at the age of 84 for a well-
earned retirement. And as she reaches another incredible milestone--100 
years old this month--I can only imagine how she has seen the world 
change.
  As we all know, the restaurant industry is evolving. From meal 
delivery services to contactless ordering through kiosks; some of the 
personal touches that Francine gave to her customers are becoming 
rarer. But it's my hope that as restaurants and other food services 
continue to weather this pandemic and

[[Page E648]]

economic downturn, they can take Francine's story to heart and know 
that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In her years serving 
Iowa, Francine saw the inauguration of ten new presidents, the moon 
landing, the birth of the microwave and the microchip, the end of a 
world war, and countless economic ups and downs. But through it all, 
Francine always turned to the next table with a smile.
  It is my distinct honor to name Francine Combs as our Iowan of the 
Week, and wish her a very happy 100th birthday. Although we cannot 
celebrate in person with Francine this year, I hope everyone will 
celebrate her work this month by supporting your own local restaurant--
and helping those who've dedicated their days to following in 
Francine's footsteps.

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