Ann Cooper was lauded by President Obama in his election night speech. Mrs Cooper was 106 when she cast her vote for Obama. In his speech, Obama mentioned that she was born during a time when women and Blacks could not vote.
She died at her home in Atlanta, Georgia on December 21, 2009 at the age of 107. The President issued a statement in honor and testimony to her life saying that he was inspired by her.
On his Inauguration Day, she hosted a party at her home for guests and the media. She felt that she played a part in helping him become President.
She first registered to vote in 1941, but did not exercise her right for years due to the segregation and sexist nature of the South at the time.
She was a very active woman, performing aerobics until she was 100. She claimed friendship with Andrew Young, former mayor of Atlanta who was also a member of her church.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Robert Heft - Flag maker
Robert Heft was credited with designing and sewing the first American flag with 50 stars. He died on December 12, 2009 at the age of 67 at a hospital in Saginaw, Michigan.
Heft made the flag in 1958 as part of a high school history project while school student in Lancaster, Ohio. He spent more than 12 hours sewing the design on his mother's sewing machine.
He entered his design into a contest to determine the new flag design after the admission of Alaska and Hawaii into statehood. President Dwight Eisenhower chose Heft's design to replace the 48 star flag.
He spent his career as a professor at Northwest State Community College in Archbold, Ohio before returning to his hometown of Saginaw in recent years.
Heft made the flag in 1958 as part of a high school history project while school student in Lancaster, Ohio. He spent more than 12 hours sewing the design on his mother's sewing machine.
He entered his design into a contest to determine the new flag design after the admission of Alaska and Hawaii into statehood. President Dwight Eisenhower chose Heft's design to replace the 48 star flag.
He spent his career as a professor at Northwest State Community College in Archbold, Ohio before returning to his hometown of Saginaw in recent years.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Jack Pitchford - POW with John McCain
Retired Air Force Colonel Jack Pitchford, 83, died December 2, 2009 after battling a brain tumor.
He survived seven years of torture after being shot down over North Vietnam on December 20, 1965 during a dangerous combat mission. He was taken to Hoa Lo prison, nicknamed the "Hanoi Hilton," where he was tortured along with John McCain. He was released in 1973, but never fully recovered from his brutal incarceration.
He was a veteran of World War II and Korea, but missed combat assignments in both wars. While in Vietnam, he flew low altitude missions to hunt down and destroy surface-to-air-missile sights. On the day of his capture, he was shot in the arm three times. His co-pilot was killed in the gun battle.
After his retirement, he returned to his hometown of Natchez, Mississippi where he enjoyed horse racing.
He survived seven years of torture after being shot down over North Vietnam on December 20, 1965 during a dangerous combat mission. He was taken to Hoa Lo prison, nicknamed the "Hanoi Hilton," where he was tortured along with John McCain. He was released in 1973, but never fully recovered from his brutal incarceration.
He was a veteran of World War II and Korea, but missed combat assignments in both wars. While in Vietnam, he flew low altitude missions to hunt down and destroy surface-to-air-missile sights. On the day of his capture, he was shot in the arm three times. His co-pilot was killed in the gun battle.
After his retirement, he returned to his hometown of Natchez, Mississippi where he enjoyed horse racing.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Ward Hussey - Drafted Congressional Bills
Ward Hussey spent 43 years in the Congressional Office of Legislative Counsel. During that time, he was chief legislative draftsman of bills being presented to Congress. With his specialty in tax law, he had a part in drafting nearly all tax law legislation passed during his time. From 1962-1979 he supervised the staff of lawyers who drafted the bills.
Mr Hussey,89, died on November 16,2009 in Fairfax ,VA from complications from a fall at his house.
He began his federal service in 1936. He received an undergraduate degree from Harvard, a master's degree in political science from Columbia University and was a graduate of Harvard Law School.
Mr Hussey,89, died on November 16,2009 in Fairfax ,VA from complications from a fall at his house.
He began his federal service in 1936. He received an undergraduate degree from Harvard, a master's degree in political science from Columbia University and was a graduate of Harvard Law School.
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