[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5730]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



        MR. AND MRS. ROBERT VANMETER'S 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today in honor of Mr. and 
Mrs. Robert VanMeter, who on April 22, 2000, will celebrate their 50th 
wedding anniversary. The couple was married at a simple ceremony on a 
Friday evening by a clergyman named Grover W. Cleveland. Since that 
evening, the two have shared the highs and lows of life together, 
lending support and comfort to the other whenever there has been need.
  Mr. Robert VanMeter served in the 82d Airborne in Italy. He loved his 
job, and was particularly fond of taking pictures of his jumps. Mrs. 
JoAnn VanMeter stayed at home, raising their four children. She baked 
everything from hamburger buns to apple pie. The children never knew 
what ``store-bought'' bread and pastries were until they were teenagers 
and Mrs. VanMeter returned to work.
  Thirty-nine years ago, Mr. VanMeter completed the house that the 
couple lives in to this day. It took him two years to build, in part 
because of his refusal to allow anyone to help him with any part of the 
process, including the electrical and plumbing.
  Mr. and Mrs. VanMeter have five grandchildren, ages 12-25. As they 
did their own children, they continue to show a patience and loyalty to 
them. They instill into their grandchildren the same principles they 
passed to their children: hard work, patience, and a willingness to try 
new things.
  Mr. President, on this special occasion, I congratulate Mr. and Mrs. 
VanMeter. On behalf of the entire United States Senate, I wish them a 
happy 50th wedding anniversary, and best of luck in the future.

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