[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 21902]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      CONGRATULATING MARY THOMPSON

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, today I offer my best regards and sincere 
congratulations to Mary Thompson as she is being honored as the First 
Lady of Aberdeen, SD. As you know, Aberdeen is my hometown. Since 1948, 
we've had the tradition of naming a First Lady of the town. The First 
Ladies of Aberdeen, sponsored by Beta Sigma Phi, are selected for their 
outstanding service to the community in many areas including culture, 
religion, education, arts and politics. Mary has been very active in 
each and every one of these areas.
  Mary has served the Plymouth Congregational Church as secretary-
treasurer, as leader of Puritan Circle, and she has held various 
officer posts with Women's Fellowship and numerous other committees. As 
a proud born Norwegian, Mary has actively participated in Sons of 
Norway for many years. She and her husband, Robert, have opened their 
home and welcomed visitors from across the country and the world. Mary 
is also an Avera St. Luke's Hospital Auxiliary member; for several 
years, she has worked in the gift shop and on special projects. Now 
retired, Mary records movies and television specials and takes them to 
the sick, lonely and shut-ins.
  I have had the pleasure of knowing Mary since I was a small child, 
and I consider her a dear friend and gracious lady. Mary and my mother, 
Betty, have been friends for many years, and both love playing bridge. 
For nearly 50 years, Mary has played bridge with the Northern State 
University Faculty Bridge Club. She attended college at NSU, earning an 
elementary education degree. There, she met and married the love of her 
life, Robert Thompson. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary 
May 29, 2003.
  On May 3, 2003, Mary was named Aberdeen's 55th First Lady. This 
Sunday, September 14, she will be celebrated at a special reception at 
the Plymouth Congregational Church in Aberdeen. I know of no one more 
deserving of this very special honor.

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