Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-04-09

CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF NORMA M. WELKER

EducationVeteransInfrastructureAgriculture

Context

On 2026-04-09, Representative Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1) delivered a floor speech titled "CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF NORMA M. WELKER" in the House. The speech addressed education and also covered veterans affairs, infrastructure.

Full Text

CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF NORMA M. WELKER

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 63 (Thursday, April 9, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 63 (Thursday, April 9, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E309-E310] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF NORMA M. WELKER ______ HON. BRIAN K. FITZPATRICK of pennsylvania in the house of representatives Thursday, April 9, 2026 Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate an extraordinary milestone in the life of an incredible constituent from my district, Mrs. Norma Welker, who has recently turned 100 years old. Born on April 9, 1926, Norma grew up in Coal Township, Pennsylvania as the daughter of a schoolteacher. She spent her childhood enjoying all the surrounding countryside in rural Pennsylvania, instilling in her a passion for nature that would last a lifetime. Her childhood memories camping in the wilderness are to this day some of her most cherished. In addition to camping and exploring nature, she found herself drawn to cosmetology, enjoying the latest fashion trends of her time during the interwar period. In 1944, she graduated from Coal Township High School and later attended beauty school in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. During her time there, she stayed in a YMCA to save money while she got her education. Her wise financial decisions and frugal living paid off when she was finally able to open her own beauty shop out of her family home in Shamokin, PA at 19 years old. Named My Lady's, her beauty shop was a staple in her community, bringing in individuals from Shamokin as well as the neighboring towns. She brought joy and kindness to all who shopped with her. A few short years later, Norma married the love of her life, Clifford H. Welker, a World War II veteran, on August 15, 1948. Together, they had two children, Glenn and Lynn, and soon after moved to Morrisville in Bucks County when Clifford took a job as a blacksmith at American Bridge in Philadelphia. She continued her hair styling work in Trenton, New Jersey, before ultimately deciding to focus full time on raising her family. Even still, she enjoyed occasionally doing the hair of her friends and neighbors in her free time. In her later years, Norma fully pursued her passion for the great outdoors and traveling. She was able to visit all 50 states in the U.S., with the highlight of her travels being her [[Page E310]] cross-country road trip to Alaska in 1976 where she camped for 3 months in a tent. She has an adventurous spirit, and her travels and exploits certainly demonstrate that deep desire to experience all that our Nation has to offer. Now, in her 100th year of life, Norma remains an incredible source of kindness and warmth, enjoying her time with her daughter Lynn and two grandchildren. She continues to brighten the day of every individual who is lucky enough to cross her path and is always looking forward to the next gathering of her family and friends. As we celebrate Norma's 100th birthday, we honor her enduring dedication to our community as a traveler, mother, stylist and a woman of enduring love and joy. ____________________

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CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF NORMA M. WELKER Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 63 (Thursday, April 9, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 63 (Thursday, April 9, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E309-E310] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF NORMA M. WELKER ______ HON. BRIAN K. FITZPATRICK of pennsylvania in the house of representatives Thursday, April 9, 2026 Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate an extraordinary milestone in the life of an incredible constituent from my district, Mrs. Norma Welker, who has recently turned 100 years old. Born on April 9, 1926, Norma grew up in Coal Township, Pennsylvania as the daughter of a schoolteacher. She spent her childhood enjoying all the surrounding countryside in rural Pennsylvania, instilling in her a passion for nature that would last a lifetime. Her childhood memories camping in the wilderness are to this day some of her most cherished. In addition to camping and exploring nature, she found herself drawn to cosmetology, enjoying the latest fashion trends of her time during the interwar period. In 1944, she graduated from Coal Township High School and later attended beauty school in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. During her time there, she stayed in a YMCA to save money while she got her education. Her wise financial decisions and frugal living paid off when she was finally able to open her own beauty shop out of her family home in Shamokin, PA at 19 years old. Named My Lady's, her beauty shop was a staple in her community, bringing in individuals from Shamokin as well as the neighboring towns. She brought joy and kindness to all who shopped with her. A few short years later, Norma married the love of her life, Clifford H. Welker, a World War II veteran, on August 15, 1948. Together, they had two children, Glenn and Lynn, and soon after moved to Morrisville in Bucks County when Clifford took a job as a blacksmith at American Bridge in Philadelphia. She continued her hair styling work in Trenton, New Jersey, before ultimately deciding to focus full time on raising her family. Even still, she enjoyed occasionally doing the hair of her friends and neighbors in her free time. In her later years, Norma fully pursued her passion for the great outdoors and traveling. She was able to visit all 50 states in the U.S., with the highlight of her travels being her [[Page E310]] cross-country road trip to Alaska in 1976 where she camped for 3 months in a tent. She has an adventurous spirit, and her travels and exploits certainly demonstrate that deep desire to experience all that our Nation has to offer. Now, in her 100th year of life, Norma remains an incredible source of kindness and warmth, enjoying her time with her daughter Lynn and two grandchildren. She continues to brighten the day of every individual who is lucky enough to cross her path and is always looking forward to the next gathering of her family and friends. As we celebrate Norma's 100th birthday, we honor her enduring dedication to our community as a traveler, mother, stylist and a woman of enduring love and joy. ____________________