Congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Donald Cole

Floor Speech

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Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, I want to express my sincere congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Cole on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary on December 14, 2019.

Donald Dwight Cole and Edna Earl Mize married on December 14, 1969 at Millport Church of Christ. Their story began when they met in study hall as juniors in high school, where they were the only students in the class. Don grew up Millport, AL, while Edna grew up all over the country as the daughter of a U.S. Air Force veteran until the military brought her to Millport in 1965. It is the classic love story. Don, the football player, and Edna, soon to become Homecoming Queen, fell in love as high school sweethearts and soon found themselves at the University of Alabama.

After college graduation Don was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force and Edna began teaching English. Over the next few decades the Air Force would station them in Aurora, CO; Goldsboro, NC; Washington, DC; Uijeongbu, South Korea; Colorado Springs, CO; Nashville, TN; back to Colorado Springs, CO, and then to their last tour back in Bowie, MD.

In their retirement years they continue to serve in their church, Columbus Church of Christ, run the consignment store Cole's Collections, serve on the South Lamar Rescue Squad, Millport Chamber of Commerce and the C3 Northwest Alabama Economic Alliance.

They learned their strong faith, work and personal ethics from parents, which they've also taught by example to their two children, Eric Lee Cole (Kensington, MD) and Emily Cole Monahan (Columbus, MS). They have always stayed close to their roots and family in Lamar County, and remain avid Alabama football fans. Celebrated now by their 2 children (Eric and Emily), 2 grandchildren Thomas Cole Monahan (Columbus, MS) and Ryan Lee Cole (Kensington, MD) . . . theirs is truly a love story of obedience to God, loyalty and perseverance.

Fifty years later their love story, and the Air Force, have taken them all over the world and included countless adventures and friends, but they will tell you that their faith and their family has been their greatest blessing. Back on November 24, 2019, their children hosted a 50th Wedding Anniversary reception from 2:00 to 4:00 at Columbus Church of Christ in Columbus, Mississippi.

As the Cole's representative to Congress, I send them my best wishes and my prayers that they will have many more happy years together.

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