REMEMBERING ALVERTA HARGIS

REMEMBERING ALVERTA HARGIS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 50 (Thursday, March 19, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 50 (Thursday, March 19, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S1364] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ______ REMEMBERING ALVERTA HARGIS Mr. SCHMITT. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the remarkable life and legacy of the late Alverta G. Harvey Hargis. Beginning her life in 1908, she had the opportunity to come of age during the closing days of the American pioneer era. Born in a covered wagon in Nebraska and spending the first few years of her life growing up in the type of iconic sod house that defined that era of our Nation's history, the challenges of growing up on the frontier provided her with valuable life lessons and helped equip her with a resilience that would guide her and her family through the hardships of the 20th century. During the Second World War, Mrs. Hargis played a key role in protecting America's freedom by serving at defense plants in Detroit, MI, ensuring that our selfless servicemen were equipped to defend our great republic and liberate our brothers and sisters in Europe. In 2020, she was among the great American women awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for supporting our nation as Rosie the Riveters by Congress and President Trump. At this year's Cherry Blossom Festival, Representative Alford will be posthumously presenting her with this honor. After the war, her extraordinary talent for quilting and baking became so iconic in southwest Missouri that, to this day, the Grand Champion Apple Pie Prize at the annual Apple Festival in Seymour, MO, is named in her honor, and each year, a fundraiser honoring her legacy is held during the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival. Throughout her life, Mrs. Hargis remained a committed woman of God and devoted herself to her family, raising 6 children and becoming the proud grandmother to over 80 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As the United States reaches its 250th anniversary, Mrs. Alverta Hargis' remarkable life serves as a perfect example of the spirit of committed service, sacrifice, and faith that have made our country great. I am proud to join her family and Representative Alford in recognizing her remarkable life and legacy and am happy that she called the Show-Me State home. ____________________