[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8387]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOAN SCHWADE

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                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 2008

  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Joan Schwade for 
reaching a noteworthy milestone of 40 years' service as a meter reader 
in the community of Protivin, Iowa.
  As a meter reader in a small town, Joan gets a fascinating 
perspective of the community and has a great opportunity to regularly 
meet with townspeople. When she started her job in 1968, all of the 177 
meters in town were located on the inside of homes. Times changed and 
today meters are located outside the homes, so readers like Joan are 
able to make it through their routes more efficiently. At the age of 
76, Joan continues to enjoy the exercise and opportunity to talk with 
local residents. It is reported that she could do without the dogs and 
winter weather, but she plans to continue her work as long as she is 
able to perform it.
  I know that my colleagues in the United States Congress join me in 
commending Joan Schwade for her service and dedication to the Protivin 
community as a meter reader. I consider it an honor to represent her in 
Congress, and I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

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