[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 13816-13817]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING MOTHER VIRGINIA OLIVER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 8, 2015

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep respect and profound 
admiration that I congratulate Mother Virginia Oliver, a long-time 
resident of East Chicago, Indiana, on a momentous milestone, her 100th 
birthday, which she celebrated on August 31, 2015. Virginia was honored 
by family and friends at a very special Celebration of 100 Years of 
Life, which featured a commemorative luncheon. The following day, she 
was recognized during a special reception at her church, Greater First 
Baptist Church in East Chicago.
  Mother Virginia Oliver arrived in East Chicago nearly seventy years 
ago, when she and her loving husband, the late Robert Oliver, relocated 
to Northwest Indiana in the mid-1940's to build a life together. Upon 
their arrival in the city, the couple resided in an apartment above the 
JPL Furniture Store located in the section

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of East Chicago known as the Harbor. It was during this time that Mr. 
and Mrs. Oliver welcomed two children, Robert and Sheryl, both proud 
graduates of East Chicago Roosevelt High School.
  In 1953, Virginia and Robert purchased a home in the Calumet section 
of the city, where Virginia continues to reside. It was in this home 
that Mother Oliver raised her children. During this time, Virginia was 
fully involved in her children's educations and was an active member of 
the parent-teacher association.
  While Mother Oliver was focused on raising her children, throughout 
her life she was also well known in the community as a skilled 
seamstress and beautician. After her children were grown, Virginia 
continued to serve her community as a crossing guard for the School 
City of East Chicago. A further testament to her patriotism and her 
commitment to her city, she also served as a poll worker on election 
days.
  A woman of tremendous faith, Mother Virginia Oliver has dedicated 
herself to serving her church community, first as a member of First 
Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and served as a secretary, 
and later at Greater First Baptist Church. Friends and family recall 
Mother Oliver's pride that Greater First Baptist Church ``began in her 
home'' after founding-pastor, Reverend P.C. Harrison, came to her home 
and convinced her husband, Deacon Robert Oliver, to join him in forming 
a new church. Deacon Oliver would go on to become the first and longest 
serving chairman of the Deacon Board, a position he held for thirty 
four years. At the first church meeting, Virginia was named as the 
church's Financial Secretary, which she faithfully served as for 
twenty-seven years. Mother Oliver also has served her church as a 
deaconess, missionary, choir member, church decorator, and ultimately, 
church mother. She continues to serve as Greater First Baptist Church's 
oldest church mother.
  Mr. Speaker, Mother Virginia Oliver has committed herself to her 
community and her church since she arrived in East Chicago, and has 
served as a mother and role model for many children throughout the 
years. She has taught every member of her family and her community the 
true meaning of service to others. I respectfully ask that you and my 
other distinguished colleagues join me in wishing Mother Virginia 
Oliver a very happy 100th birthday.

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