[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20557]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           A TRIBUTE HONORING THE FALKENTHAL-NICHOLS WEDDING

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 31, 2009

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to extend my best 
wishes to two young Americans who are starting their new life together. 
On Friday, June 4, 2009, Michelle Lynn Falkenthal and Michael David 
Nichols were joined in matrimony surrounded by their loving family and 
friends at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden located on the campus 
of California State University, Long Beach.
  Michelle Falkenthal was born in West Covina, California on December 
24, 1979. Her mother, Evelyn Bobbitt, is an accounting technician for 
the County of San Bernardino, and her stepfather, David Bobbitt, is a 
director of audits for Riverside Community College. Her father is 
Robert Falkenthal, an attorney in private practice, and her stepmother 
is Jennette Falkenthal, a homemaker. Michelle graduated from Colton 
high school and is currently employed as a billing agent for Cox 
Communications.
  Michael Nichols was born in Arcadia, California on December 12, 1980. 
His mother, Linda Nichols, is a secretary at Arcadia High School, and 
his father, Ken Nichols, is a general contractor. Michael attended 
Arcadia High School and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in 
Prescott, Arizona. He is employed as an independent contractor pilot.
  In this constantly developing age of electronic communications, it's 
no surprise that the young couple first met via the Internet. After 
several weeks of getting acquainted online, Michelle and Michael had 
their first date on June 5, 2007. They were engaged fifteen months 
later on September 14, 2008. The couple enjoys spending time with 
family and friends, going to Big Bear Lake, bike riding, and remodeling 
their new home, among other activities. Their many friends say Michelle 
and Michael are very well suited for each other, and their families 
already consider each of them a member of the family. The newlywed 
couple will make their home in the city of Chino Hills in Los Angeles 
County.
  Michelle and Michael were joined in their wedding celebration in Long 
Beach by guests from across town and across the country. Family and 
friends traveled from Maryland, Washington, DC, Sacramento, Oxnard, 
Newberry Park, the Inland Empire, and from across southern California. 
Special participants in the wedding ceremony included the maid of honor 
Casandra Holiday, the bridesmaids, Sally Lara and Evie Bobbitt, the 
bride's niece and sister respectively, and the groomsmen Travis 
Amezcua, Ryan Benigno, Caleb Gray, and Dustin Mullins. Leading the 
bridal party and assembled family and guests in the wedding celebration 
and officiating the vows was the Reverend Doctor Paul Yestebo of the 
New Hope Community Church in Huntington Beach.
  Madam Speaker, I offer my best congratulations to the Bobbitt, 
Falkenthal, and Nichols families, and their friends and guests on this 
happy and memorable occasion. To Michelle and Michael, I offer the 
sentiment and gifts which George Bailey offered the Martini family as 
they moved into their new home in the classic film, ``It's a Wonderful 
Life'': ``Bread! That their house may never know hunger. Salt! That 
life may always have flavor. And wine! That joy and prosperity may 
reign forever.'' Lastly, I wish that throughout their wonderful life 
together, Michelle and Michael will always have an abundance of what 
St. Paul wrote of in his letter to the Corinthians, ``faith, hope, and 
love; and the greatest of these is love.''

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