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“TRIBUTE TO MRS. ANNIE MAE AARON ON HER 95TH BIRTHDAY” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E513 on March 19, 2003.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO MRS. ANNIE MAE AARON ON HER 95TH BIRTHDAY
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HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS
of florida
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride to recognize Mrs. Annie Mae Aaron who will soon observe her 95th birthday.
Born on April 24, 1908, Mrs. Aaron was aware at an early age of the importance family, faith, freedom, and education. Though she was struck with polio at the age of three, through her faith in God, and self-
reliance, she recovered from this illness to lead a full and productive life of distinction. She Attended Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida and graduated in the class of 1930. She was a teacher in the public school system of Florida, teaching in E.O. Douglas high school in Sebring.
In 1939, Mrs. Aaron made her home in West Palm Beach Florida where she was the Sunday school secretary at Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church. She was a marketing representative for the Afro American Insurance Company. She married J.E. Aaron of Sebring in 1941 and they enjoyed a long happy union until his death in 1974.
Mrs. Aaron's greatest contribution to her community and to her country is through her family--her children that she reared--and preschool age children of others whom she mentored. She produced seven sons and two daughters. Four of her sons served honorably in the United States Army, three of whom served in combat zones during hostilities. Rudy rose to the rank of Sergeant and served in the Army Signal Corps in the Korean War. Samuel achieved to the rank of Regular Army Major and was an Army aviator during two tours in the Vietnam War. He is a high-ranking official with the Federal Aviation Administration. A third son, Eugene, advanced to the rank of Regular Army Captain and served in Wurzburg, Germany with the Third Infantry Division as a Tank platoon commander during the height of the Cold War. He was also an advisory to South Vietnamese in the Vietnam War. He is now a State Department Foreign Service Officer, who has completed diplomatic assignments in four countries. Patrick served in the United States Army in Alaska in the Signal Corps, Mrs. Aaron's daughters are also serving their communities in significant ways. Both have chosen to become teachers in their native Florida, following in the large footprints of their mother. Priscilla is a Business teacher at Sebring High School in Highlands County. Ruth is a Mathematics Instructor in the Seminole County Community College.
Some sons have distinguished themselves in non-military areas as well. Joseph is an expert chemist and enjoyed a long 20-year career with the Department of Energy. James is a passionate lawyer, using his knowledge and skill of the law to increase justice in his community. During his life, Robert used his hands in many trades, mainly the construction crafts. Lastly, one of the children that she mentored as a pre-school student, Water, is a Medical Doctor. Indeed Mrs. Aaron has contributed much to Sebring, the state of Florida and America.
In addition to organizing and serving as president of the Women's Club, a community service organization, Mrs. Aaron was an advisor to the Girl Scouts. She is still a vibrant presence in Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Sebring, Florida. Mrs. Aaron's life is the very model of what is possible in a free and open democratic society and it is in keeping with the culture and highest traditions of what it means to be an American. Mr. Speaker I know that my colleagues here in the U.S. House of Representatives join me today in saluting Mrs. Aaron and wishing her continued health and happiness in the years to come.
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