[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29851]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING CHESTER COUNTY CHAPTER 377 OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF 
                       RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

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                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2003

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize Chester County 
Chapter 377 of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees 
and all of its members on the 50th anniversary of its founding.
   The National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), an 
organization of former workers of the United States government, was 
established in 1921 and has grown to over 420,000 members--each of whom 
is affiliated with one of 1,591 chapters nationwide. They perform an 
advocacy role at the national level in promoting and protecting the 
annuity and health insurance rights of all former employees. It also 
provides significant services to all United States government retirees 
by aiding them in understanding and utilizing their individual rights 
under current directives.
   Much like other national advocacy groups, NARFE is separated into 
state organizations which are further subdivided into a number of local 
chapters based on population and geography. In Pennsylvania, there is a 
statewide federation of approximately 22,000 members who likewise are 
affiliated with Chester County Chapter 377 or one of the 56 other local 
chapters.
   The Chester County Chapter 377 of NARFE encompasses the entire 
county and has a membership of over 400 retirees. The Chapter holds ten 
meetings a year hosting outside speakers on a variety of issues 
important to its members. I am honored to be speaking at their 50th 
Anniversary luncheon on December 2, 2003. In addition to the meetings, 
NARFE members are informed on retirement issues through a national 
monthly magazine and from periodic chapter newsletters.
   I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing Chester County 
Chapter 377 of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, 
its President Stewart F. Taylor, and all of its members on the 50th 
Anniversary of the its founding. Half a century of hard work and 
dedication has led to great success in protecting the benefits of 
retired federal employees in Chester County, the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania and across the United States.

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