[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22770]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      COMMENDING THE CLASS OF '59

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 25, 2009

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, Members of the House, I rise to commend an 
era that many Members of this body fondly remember.
  It was the 1950s. This year, the last class of that era, students of 
the class of '59, celebrate their 50th high school reunions. I am one 
of those students, and I would like to submit for the Record the 
thoughts of a classmate--Lucinda Lloyd--on those formative years. It 
was a historic and poignant time for all of us.

       Carmel High School Class of '59. That was our identity.
       After leaving Sunset School, we entered the hallowed halls 
     of Carmel High School as timid Freshmen. Progressing through 
     the awkward Sophomore stage, we survived being Juniors until 
     we ruled the school as mighty Seniors.
       Ours was an age of innocence and happy days, unbeaten 
     athletic teams, and scholastic success. We rocked around the 
     clock, danced cheek-to-cheek to Unchained Melody, hung out at 
     Konrad's, wore Bass Weejuns or Spaulding oxfords, congregated 
     at the Youth Center, cheered our teams to victory, occupied 
     the Senior Steps and looked forward to years of 
     accomplishment. After all, we were told that the world was 
     ours, all we had to do was go for it.
       Leaving Carmel behind to forge our paths in the Big World, 
     we attended colleges and universities, went to MPC, joined 
     the military or began another career. Or we got married and 
     had children. Some of us got divorced, while other marriages 
     survived. Some of us distinguished ourselves in careers and 
     chosen fields of work. And some of us died.
       Our common bonds of shared childhood experiences glued us 
     together, more as cousins than classmates. Today we 
     anticipate our 50th reunion with mature interest, warmed by 
     the knowledge that we've softened the sharp edges that may 
     have separated us, that we are more alike than different, 
     that we can laugh at ourselves and with each other.
       We've made it! We're adults with grown children who have 
     children. We no longer care if our hair styles droop or frizz 
     in the fog, that our loose clothing covers softened curves, 
     or if we have a date for Saturday night. Accepting ourselves 
     as we are has allowed us to accept everyone else, no matter 
     what.
       With warmth in our hearts, smiles on our faces and arms 
     ready to hug, the Class of '59 reunites to remember old 
     times, renew bonds of friendship and forge closer 
     relationships for the coming years. The longer we live, the 
     more we need one another.
       Ours was a magic time in a magic place. It is with the 
     perspective of age that we finally realize how lucky we were, 
     how lucky we are. Let us give thanks and enjoy our time 
     together. God bless America.
       Go Padres! Forever friends, Class of '59.

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