[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23671]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              CELEBRATING IRMA EDNA HENRY'S 100TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 25, 2005

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Irma Edna 
Henry, who is celebrating her 100th birthday. Irma has been a joy to 
the community and has profoundly impacted the lives of her friends, 
family, and neighbors.
  Irma Edna Henry was born to Bertha and Frank Daniels on November 7, 
1905 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has lived in Coraopolis, 
Pennsylvania for most of her life. Growing up with three sisters and 
two brothers, Irma has always greatly valued family life. At the age of 
sixteen, Irma began working for the phone company, a job which she 
maintained intermittently after her marriage to Ralph Dewitt Henry on 
August 22, 1927. During the 1950s, Ralph, an employee at Gulf Oil, was 
transferred to Texas, where Irma became a nursing assistant at a local 
hospital. She then started a career at the county office in Pittsburgh, 
where she worked for several years until her retirement. Wherever she 
worked, Irma was well known for her extraordinary work ethic.
  As much as she enjoyed each of her jobs, Irma has always treasured 
staying at home with her family. Irma and Ralph raised three sons, 
Ralph Jr., Herman, and Kenneth, and gained three daughters-in-law, 
Justina, Phyllis, and Arlene. Irma's husband Ralph passed away on 
December 8, 1984 at the age of eighty-six; however, Irma enjoys the 
company of her seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
  Throughout her life, Irma has been an active member of the community 
and of the Democratic Party. She was elected committee woman for the 
Fourth Ward of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania and has always enjoyed 
advocating for others. Today, Irma is still very active and lives 
independently in her own apartment. She attends church services at her 
high-rise apartment and listens to country, western, and gospel music, 
enjoying the music of Daniel O'Donnell in particular. Irma is also a 
fan of Jeopardy, never missing an episode, and often spends her 
afternoons drinking coffee with her friends. Friends and neighbors 
appreciate her hospitality and her delicious cooking, always 
considering a meal at her home to be a special treat.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding member of the 
community. Irma Henry's great dedication to her friends and neighbors 
and her love of assisting others have inspired those around her to 
serve the community as much as Irma has done. Irma has touched the 
lives of many, and all those who know her feel privileged for having 
had the opportunity to meet such a remarkable woman.

                          ____________________