[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 8780]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO MR. AND MRS. JOHN BEARDEN WILLIAMS

 Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I wish to acknowledge two very 
special people who have reached a significant milestone in their lives, 
Mr. and Mrs. John Bearden Williams. This week, Mr. Williams and his 
bride, Gretchen Schilde Williams, celebrated their 50th wedding 
anniversary.
  John and Gretchen's marriage has been very blessed. They were married 
on June 6, 1971, in Baton Rouge, LA, at the First Baptist Church. 
Throughout their marriage they have maintained a strong partnership, 
working together in ministry and giving of themselves to their church 
and community.
  They have been longtime supporters of the Louisiana School for the 
Deaf, and Mr. Williams and his children were all featured in the 
Louisiana Bar Journal for their many years of service to the Baton 
Rouge legal community. During Mr. Williams' more than 40 years of legal 
practice, Mrs. Williams was a constant and committed advocate, 
organizer, and friend. Their unbreakable alliance has served to 
encourage, uplift, and bring out the best in one another, and the 
longevity of their union shows their deep and abiding love and 
commitment to each other, growing stronger throughout their journey. 
They have raised three children, Stephen Schilde, John Richard, and 
Cynthia Williams Dashiell, and are now the proud grandparents of five 
grandchildren--Haley, Jack, Mary Gretchen, Martin, and Scott.
  I am pleased to recognize and honor John Williams and Gretchen 
Williams as they celebrate 50 years of marriage, and I hope their 
family continues to be blessed.

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