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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E647-E648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING FRANCIE COMBS IOWAN OF THE WEEK
______
HON. CYNTHIA AXNE
of iowa
in the house of representatives
Monday, July 20, 2020
Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of
Representatives to join me in celebrating Mrs. Francine Combs for her
decades of hard work in her community and her 100th birthday this month
by naming her our Iowan of the Week.
Francine started working as a waitress when she was only 18. She
worked at The Joy Ann, a restaurant of the northwest side of the square
in Greenfield, Iowa whose local claim to fame was being the first
eatery in town to have a juke box. From those first table at The Joy
Ann, Francine's tenacity and dedication to her work and the community
took off.
Over the course of her 65 years as a waitress; Francine worked at
several other eateries--all the while raising four sons--John, Dan,
David and Dennis--with her husband Frank.
Francine's son John Combs and his wife Phyllis recalled that, ``Every
restaurant there ever was in Greenfield, she was a waitress there.''
Diners and patrons in Greenfield came to know and love Francine as a
staple of their community.
A significant portion of Francine's decades of waitressing were at
the Maid-Rite Cafe--an Iowa community staple for nearly three
generations and a venerated home to our famous loose meat sandwiches.
In all her years, if Francine ever learned the secrets behind the Maid-
Rite's incredible rendition of this classic Iowa sandwich, she still
hasn't told.
In honoring Francine today, I want to underscore the values of hard
work, attentiveness, and interpersonal skills that serving Iowa's
hungry families teaches to everyone working in the hospitality
industry. As a former waitress myself, I know how much I learned from
the long hours on my feet and the diligent yet delicate work that is
required of any food service professional--and I am so proud to
recognize one who embodies that Iowa work ethic through decades
ofservice to her thousands of patrons.
In 2004, Francine hung up her apron at the age of 84 for a well-
earned retirement. And as she reaches another incredible milestone--100
years old this month--I can only imagine how she has seen the world
change.
As we all know, the restaurant industry is evolving. From meal
delivery services to contactless ordering through kiosks; some of the
personal touches that Francine gave to her customers are becoming
rarer. But it's my hope that as restaurants and other food services
continue to weather this pandemic and
[[Page E648]]
economic downturn, they can take Francine's story to heart and know
that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In her years serving
Iowa, Francine saw the inauguration of ten new presidents, the moon
landing, the birth of the microwave and the microchip, the end of a
world war, and countless economic ups and downs. But through it all,
Francine always turned to the next table with a smile.
It is my distinct honor to name Francine Combs as our Iowan of the
Week, and wish her a very happy 100th birthday. Although we cannot
celebrate in person with Francine this year, I hope everyone will
celebrate her work this month by supporting your own local restaurant--
and helping those who've dedicated their days to following in
Francine's footsteps.
____________________