Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-08-03

CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF NORMA WILSON GREGORY

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On 2026-08-03, Representative James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA-11) delivered a floor speech titled "CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF NORMA WILSON GREGORY" in the House.

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CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF NORMA WILSON GREGORY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 126 (Monday, August 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 126 (Monday, August 3, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E761-E762] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF NORMA WILSON GREGORY ______ HON. JAMES R. WALKINSHAW of virginia in the house of representatives Monday, August 3, 2026 Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and celebrate the 100th birthday of my constituent, Mrs. Norma Wilson Gregory. Norma was born on August 2, 1926, and grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. She was the middle child of five, with older brother Walter, older sister Jeanne, and two younger brothers, Herb and Gordon. As a child, she was something of a tomboy to keep up with her older brother Walter who was only ten months older. She also was an avid reader, often taking a book and the family dog on a walk to climb and sit in a tree, reading for hours, with the dog sitting guard at the base of the tree. The name Norma means ``hard working and vivacious'' in Latin, and those who know and love her say that is an incredibly apt description. Anything she puts her mind to, she can master. From hanging wallpaper, painting, and making braided rugs, to gardening, arranging flowers, and baking and cooking, she was a woman of many talents. Her talents allowed her to thrive professionally, having a successful 30-year career as a realtor. She loved selling houses and had the wonderful ability to visualize how a couple could fix up a house and make it their own. Away from work, she became an avid bird watcher, traversing the globe to see birds in Northern Africa and Belize. She still to this day watches the birds at her feeder, including four male goldfinches who often come to the feeder at the same time and put on quite a show. While bird watching started to spend time with her beloved husband, Jim Gregory, she continues to experience the joy it can bring to its enthusiasts. Jim Holmwood Gregory was not just the one who introduced her to bird watching, he was her greatest love and husband of 54 years. Norma met James when she was living in Kansas City with her aunt, Muriel. One day she ended up having all of her wisdom teeth pulled, and Aunt Muriel decided a night on the town would take her mind off of her teeth. Sure enough, James and his colleagues were [[Page E762]] in town on business and happened to be at the same local nightclub as Norma, and it was love at first sight. Eight months later, after a lot of visits and correspondence between the two, they were married in East Aurora, New York on May 24, 1947. They had a wonderful marriage and four children: Kim, John, Jamie, and Mark. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating Norma Wilson Gregory on her 100th Birthday. Cheers to countless memories and adventures, and cheers to many more. ____________________

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CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF NORMA WILSON GREGORY Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 126 (Monday, August 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 126 (Monday, August 3, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E761-E762] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF NORMA WILSON GREGORY ______ HON. JAMES R. WALKINSHAW of virginia in the house of representatives Monday, August 3, 2026 Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and celebrate the 100th birthday of my constituent, Mrs. Norma Wilson Gregory. Norma was born on August 2, 1926, and grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. She was the middle child of five, with older brother Walter, older sister Jeanne, and two younger brothers, Herb and Gordon. As a child, she was something of a tomboy to keep up with her older brother Walter who was only ten months older. She also was an avid reader, often taking a book and the family dog on a walk to climb and sit in a tree, reading for hours, with the dog sitting guard at the base of the tree. The name Norma means ``hard working and vivacious'' in Latin, and those who know and love her say that is an incredibly apt description. Anything she puts her mind to, she can master. From hanging wallpaper, painting, and making braided rugs, to gardening, arranging flowers, and baking and cooking, she was a woman of many talents. Her talents allowed her to thrive professionally, having a successful 30-year career as a realtor. She loved selling houses and had the wonderful ability to visualize how a couple could fix up a house and make it their own. Away from work, she became an avid bird watcher, traversing the globe to see birds in Northern Africa and Belize. She still to this day watches the birds at her feeder, including four male goldfinches who often come to the feeder at the same time and put on quite a show. While bird watching started to spend time with her beloved husband, Jim Gregory, she continues to experience the joy it can bring to its enthusiasts. Jim Holmwood Gregory was not just the one who introduced her to bird watching, he was her greatest love and husband of 54 years. Norma met James when she was living in Kansas City with her aunt, Muriel. One day she ended up having all of her wisdom teeth pulled, and Aunt Muriel decided a night on the town would take her mind off of her teeth. Sure enough, James and his colleagues were [[Page E762]] in town on business and happened to be at the same local nightclub as Norma, and it was love at first sight. Eight months later, after a lot of visits and correspondence between the two, they were married in East Aurora, New York on May 24, 1947. They had a wonderful marriage and four children: Kim, John, Jamie, and Mark. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating Norma Wilson Gregory on her 100th Birthday. Cheers to countless memories and adventures, and cheers to many more. ____________________