[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 63 (Thursday, April 9, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E309-E310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF NORMA M. WELKER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. BRIAN K. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 9, 2026

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate an 
extraordinary milestone in the life of an incredible constituent from 
my district, Mrs. Norma Welker, who has recently turned 100 years old.
  Born on April 9, 1926, Norma grew up in Coal Township, Pennsylvania 
as the daughter of a schoolteacher. She spent her childhood enjoying 
all the surrounding countryside in rural Pennsylvania, instilling in 
her a passion for nature that would last a lifetime. Her childhood 
memories camping in the wilderness are to this day some of her most 
cherished. In addition to camping and exploring nature, she found 
herself drawn to cosmetology, enjoying the latest fashion trends of her 
time during the interwar period.
  In 1944, she graduated from Coal Township High School and later 
attended beauty school in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. During her time 
there, she stayed in a YMCA to save money while she got her education. 
Her wise financial decisions and frugal living paid off when she was 
finally able to open her own beauty shop out of her family home in 
Shamokin, PA at 19 years old. Named My Lady's, her beauty shop was a 
staple in her community, bringing in individuals from Shamokin as well 
as the neighboring towns. She brought joy and kindness to all who 
shopped with her.
  A few short years later, Norma married the love of her life, Clifford 
H. Welker, a World War II veteran, on August 15, 1948. Together, they 
had two children, Glenn and Lynn, and soon after moved to Morrisville 
in Bucks County when Clifford took a job as a blacksmith at American 
Bridge in Philadelphia. She continued her hair styling work in Trenton, 
New Jersey, before ultimately deciding to focus full time on raising 
her family. Even still, she enjoyed occasionally doing the hair of her 
friends and neighbors in her free time.
  In her later years, Norma fully pursued her passion for the great 
outdoors and traveling. She was able to visit all 50 states in the 
U.S., with the highlight of her travels being her

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cross-country road trip to Alaska in 1976 where she camped for 3 months 
in a tent. She has an adventurous spirit, and her travels and exploits 
certainly demonstrate that deep desire to experience all that our 
Nation has to offer.
  Now, in her 100th year of life, Norma remains an incredible source of 
kindness and warmth, enjoying her time with her daughter Lynn and two 
grandchildren. She continues to brighten the day of every individual 
who is lucky enough to cross her path and is always looking forward to 
the next gathering of her family and friends.
  As we celebrate Norma's 100th birthday, we honor her enduring 
dedication to our community as a traveler, mother, stylist and a woman 
of enduring love and joy.

                          ____________________