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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN RECOGNITION OF THE 108TH BIRTHDAY OF LUCILLE DOROTHY GREWE
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HON. DEBBIE DINGELL
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Monday, June 8, 2020
Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer my heartfelt
congratulations to Lucille Grewe as she celebrates her 108th birthday
on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020. This significant milestone is worthy of
commendation.
Lucille Grewe was born in 1912 and grew up in the small town of
Buckner, Illinois. As the third of five children born to Ernst and
Bertha Grewe, Lucille fondly remembers playing outside with her family
and walking with her siblings to deliver coffee and a lunch bucket to
her father during his lunch break at the mines.
Throughout her life, Lucille has experienced a tremendous amount of
change. She grew up in simpler times without telephones, few
automobiles, and limited women's rights, and she has been a witness to
some of America's most defining and challenging moments. At the young
age of three, Lucille remembers watching her cousin from her back porch
as he walked off to serve in World War I. Several years later, she
lived through the ratification of the 19th Amendment, granting women
the right to vote. By the 1930s, Lucille worked alongside her mother
and siblings on a family farm, raising livestock and harvesting crops,
to help her family endure the difficulties of the Great Depression.
When Lucille was in her 20s, she followed her older sister Alma to
Detroit, Michigan. She found a job at Briggs Automotive working on car
bodies at the Mack Avenue Plant, where she earned 40 cents an hour.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Lucille stepped up to
America's call. She was transferred to Brigg's Connor Avenue Plant to
work as a riveter on Boeing B-17 wings for the duration of World War II
until 1946. As a Rosie the Riveter, Lucille's hard work, grit, and
patriotism not only sustained the American war effort, but paved a path
for generations of working women to follow. After the war, Lucille
returned to the Mack Avenue Plant to work on car bodies once more. She
remained with the company through its transition to Chrysler, and
finally retired in 1971 at the age of 59.
Since retirement, Lucille has taken up a number of hobbies including
swimming, bowling, and traveling. Today, she enjoys playing cards,
specifically pinochle, and spending time with her friends. Lucille is
known for her great attitude, sense of humor, and enthusiasm. She has
been both an inspiration and a mentor to many, and she continues to
live a fruitful life.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Lucille
Dorothy Grewe on her 108th birthday. I join with Lucille's family and
friends in extending my best and warmest wishes to her on this special
day. I am proud to honor her life, her accomplishments, and her
invaluable contributions to our nation.
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