[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24830]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      IN RECOGNITION OF JACK AND DOLLIE HARVEY'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN BOOZMAN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, January 3, 2009

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of the 40th 
Anniversary of Jack and Dollie Harvey. Their commitment to each other 
as well as to their community is something we can all be proud of.
  Over those 40 years, they have worked together to help others. Their 
romance was born out of tragedy with each of them being widowed at a 
young age. Instead of dwelling on the hardships they faced in losing a 
loved one and, eventually, the challenges of merging their two 
families, they became more mindful of the needs of those around them. 
They helped rebuild after the 1976 Teton Dam collapse; ``adopted'' the 
homeless; taught at a juvenile detention center; ministered in migrant 
camps throughout the Southwest; volunteered at a community recreation 
center; counseled the terminally ill and their families; organized and 
managed summer camps for children from low-income families; entertained 
at nursing homes, state hospitals and city missions; and gave their 
time, money and energy to every opportunity for service that came their 
way.
  Like many other Americans their age, the Harveys have to stretch 
their Social Security check to cover their monthly expenses. But they 
don't worry so much about paying the bills. Quite often, their biggest 
concern is just finding the energy to breathe. Jack, 78, who suffers 
from a chronic respiratory disease, and Dollie, 71, a cancer survivor 
tethered to oxygen, squeeze their numerous doctors' appointments and 
her frequent transfusions and injections into a hectic schedule devoted 
to ministering to others.
  Sundays are busy days for the couple, teaching Sunday school, 
practicing for Christmas programs and guest preaching, their efforts 
continue to make a difference and inspire all of those who meet them. 
Their lessons have not been lost on their eight children, 16 
grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, who include ministers, 
educators, law enforcement personnel, healthcare professionals, a 
social worker, military members and Arkansas and U.S. government 
officials.
  Jack and Dollie long ago adopted the motto not to pass on peacefully 
but to charge ahead helping others until they drop--exhausted and 
totally spent--into the grave. Truly, it is this kind of commitment, 
this type of dedication, that makes America great.