[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 30, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF PATRICIA JEAN HAYES POPE

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                            HON. VINCE FONG

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 30, 2024

  Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Patricia Pope on 
her 100th birthday.
  Mrs. Patricia Jean Hayes Pope has lived in the Central Valley her 
whole life, having lived in San Martin, Salinas, King City, and now 
Visalia. Mrs. Pope will reach an incredible 100 years of age this 
August, and is deserving of recognition for the incredible life she 
continues to live.
  Born on August 4, 1924, to Katherine Hitchcock and Francis ``Austin'' 
Hayes in San Jose, California, she is the middle child of three, born 
between her oldest brother Jack and younger brother Danny. While 
attending King City High School, she played piano for the dance band, 
clarinet in the school's marching band, and was the editor of the 
school newspaper.
  After high school, Mrs. Pope attended Hartnell Junior College, after 
which she began teaching 4th grade at King City Grammar School. At the 
city pool in 1945, she met Marion Pope, who was then serving in the 
U.S. Navy. The next year, they were married in Del Monte, California, a 
marriage which would last 65 years. They later moved to King City, 
California, where they had five children together--Susan, Linda, 
Dennis, Laurie, and Leslie. Throughout their lives, Mrs. Pope has been 
dedicated to her children and active in their activities. She served as 
den mother for Cub Scouts and troop leader for Girl Scouts, taught 4-H 
sewing, and was president of the Parent Teacher Association.
  Mrs. Pope has been an active member of her community throughout her 
life. She worked as the bookkeeper for her husband's painting business 
and was a substitute teacher at the local elementary school. Mrs. Pope 
also dedicated more than 4,000 hours as a volunteer at the local 
hospital service league. Mrs. Pope and her husband were key 
participants in the establishment of the Mee Memorial Hospital 
Foundation. To honor their life of service to the community, they were 
named King City Citizens of the Year in 1997.
  After her husband's passing in 2012, Mrs. Pope moved to Visalia to be 
closer to her family. She is the proud grandmother of 2 grandsons, 7 
granddaughters, and 16 great-grandchildren. In addition to spending 
time with her family, she remains a thriving member of the Visalia 
community, enjoying playing piano concerts, painting, and spending time 
with friends.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives 
to join me in celebrating Mrs. Patricia Pope on her 100th birthday.

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