[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 3316]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF KRIS ANNE VOGELPOHL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Weber) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and to 
celebrate the life of Kris Anne Vogelpohl of Galveston. Many know Kris 
Anne Vogelpohl as the matriarch of the Galveston County Republican 
Party.
  Kris Anne made her way from Colorado to Galveston, where she became 
chief therapeutic dietician at the University of Texas Medical Branch 
in 1950. It was at UTMB where she met her future husband, Dr. Elmer 
Vogelpohl.
  Kris Anne didn't waste any time getting involved in the community and 
local politics, too. In fact, in 1955, Kris Anne became one of the 
founding members of the Galveston Republican Women. From there, she 
solidified her GOP trailblazer status by becoming chairwoman of the 
Galveston Republican Party, where she thereupon built a strong 
foundation for the party to grow and build on.
  In addition to her political service, Kris Anne was an avid 
philanthropist within the community. One of the organizations she 
invested her time in was the Salvation Army, where she joined their 
county advisory board in 1959.
  Kris Anne's unwavering commitment to the betterment of society was a 
sight to behold, Mr. Speaker. She made everyone feel so welcomed. She 
empowered so many people to take charge and get involved. Her 
enthusiasm for making our county, our State, and our country even 
greater was infectious. The proof is in the pudding. Galveston has 
become one of the strongest Republican counties along the Gulf Coast 
and in Texas.
  Dr. Vogelpohl could often be seen with Kris Anne in event after event 
all over Galveston County. You talk about stalwarts, Mr. Speaker. My 
prayer is that we all be such sterling examples to those who come 
behind us. Lord knows that Dr. Elmer, as I call him, and Kris Anne 
were--or make that are, quite frankly.
  Kris Anne lived to be 90 years old. She was married for 55 years and 
is survived by her husband, two children, and six grandchildren.
  Kris Anne may be gone, but in reality she is still here. She will 
forever be in the hearts and minds of the people she touched.
  Mr. Speaker, my thoughts and my prayers are with Dr. Elmer, their 
children, their grandchildren, and with the great multitude of friends 
she served. My prayer is also may the Great Shepherd of the Sheep, even 
the Lord Jesus Christ, wrap them up in His loving arms and comfort 
them. May He bless them and keep them. May God bless them all, and may 
God bless the great State of Texas and Galveston County that Kris Anne 
loved so much.
  In a wonderful way, He has been blessing us. He loaned us Kris Anne.

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