[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 21 (Thursday, February 4, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E104]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN HONOR OF MARINETTE F. ``MARI'' BARB

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 4, 2021

  Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness but great respect 
that I take this time to remember Marinette F. ``Mari'' Barb of 
Williamsburg, VA. Mari passed away on January 20, 2021 after more than 
a century of life. Mari bravely served the United States for many 
years, and her life after service was equally memorable and noteworthy.
  Mari was born on September 16, 1919 in a small town in the south of 
France. Two decades later, she joined the French Underground when her 
home country was occupied by Nazi Germany. During this time, Mari 
worked with the O.S.S., the predecessor of the CIA. Mari constantly 
risked her life, helping Allied soldiers and airmen who found 
themselves behind enemy lines. Using forged Algerian identification 
papers, Mari saved the lives of countless soldiers by smuggling them 
back to Allied territory.
  Immediately after the war, Mari met her husband, James, while he was 
in France with the U.S. Army. She moved to the United States with Jim 
and was made an American citizen by an Act of Congress. A career in 
intelligence took Mari and Jim to the Pacific Island of Saipan, on two 
tours in Vietnam, and took Mari to Hong Kong for an extended stay. Mari 
and Jim made frequent returns to Camp Peary in Williamsburg between 
overseas assignments.
  Once they retired, Mari and Jim moved to Williamsburg, VA 
permanently. There they became staples of the community, frequenting 
trivia nights and live music venues. In addition to retiring from work, 
Mari retired from cooking, so Mari and Jim could always be found at one 
of their favorite restaurants. Mari is survived by three sisters and 
many family members spread across both France and the United States. 
Madam Speaker, I ask you rise with me in memory of Marinette F. Barb. 
She will be profoundly missed, but her memory lives on in her friends 
and family.

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