[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29232]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING HERMAN AND MARJORIE WILLIAMS ON 60TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 2, 2009

  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my 
esteemed colleague from Maryland, Elijah Cummings, in order to 
congratulate Herman and Marjorie Williams of Baltimore, Maryland, as 
they celebrate sixty years of marriage. Since they exchanged their vows 
on November 24, 1949, these high school sweethearts have been 
extraordinary parents, friends, and members of their community.
  Over the decades of their marriage, they contended against racism and 
segregation as they pursued their careers, Herman as one of the first 
black firefighters in Baltimore and Marjorie at Westinghouse. Their 
commitment to hard work and to their family never wavered.
  Herman eventually became the nation's first African-American major-
city fire chief and Marjorie retired after a long and exemplary career. 
Even after her retirement, Marjorie has volunteered her time with many 
charitable organizations, dedicating herself to helping the less 
fortunate. Always an adventuresome spirit, she has also continued to 
pursue her love of travel.
  The two of them together raised four wonderful and successful 
children: Marjorie, Clolita, Montel, and Herman. Marjorie and Herman 
have a fierce dedication to their family, and the values they instilled 
led their children to prominent careers in the arts, education, civil 
service, and broadcast media.
  The Williams have been an inspiration to their friends, their family, 
to their community, and to everyone determined to triumph in the face 
of adversity.
  On November 28, 2009, they celebrated their anniversary along with 
family and friends. Please join us in wishing them the best of luck as 
they continue to spend their lives loving and supporting each other and 
bringing joy and happiness to their family and friends.

                          ____________________