[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29328]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                        TRIBUTE TO ELSIE COATES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 9, 1999

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to express my 
admiration for Ms. Elsie Coates of Camp Point, Illinois. Her 
accomplishments should inspire us all to never stop living life to its 
fullest.
  Celebrating her 85th birthday this last July, Elsie is proof that age 
is not necessarily a barrier in carrying out life long dreams. In the 
last ten years, Elsie obtained her drivers license and completed the 
requirements for the GED, the equivalent of a high school degree. Last 
year, she added to her list a tandem skydiving excursion at the 1998 
World Free Fall Competition. Amidst all these exciting activities, 
Elsie still finds time to participate actively in the church and 
community.
  Elsie is a true inspiration. The significance of her achievements is 
perhaps said best in her own words. ``Age is just a number . . . If you 
set down and feel sorry for yourself, you're going to get old awfully 
quick.''

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