WASHINGTON, D.C. — Worldwide Marriage Encounter, a faith-based marriage enrichment program, is searching for the longest married couple in the country and on the state level.
Over 180 nominations have been received but not one has been sent in from anybody in South Carolina, according to organizers.
Scott and Karen Seaborn, and Father Tom Griffith, of the Divine Word Missionaries, make up the WWME United States Ecclesial Team.
“As we enter the final days of the Christmas season when so many families are together, what a perfect time to nominate a couple whose marriage has spanned decades of love,” the organizers said in a press release.
The program even received recognition on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives during remarks made by Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper (D-PA).
“Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating Worldwide Marriage Encounter and all the volunteers and clergy for their efforts to strengthen marriages throughout our country,” she said.
The remarks were made during the closing sessions of Congress last week.
“Worldwide Marriage Encounter is undertaking a project to recognize the longest married couple from every state, with special recognition to the longest married couple in the United States,” Dahlkemper said. “As nearly 50 percent of marriages end in divorce, it is truly an inspiration to see how many couples have remained together for so long.”
The Seaborns and Father Griffith will present the longest married couple in the United States with special gifts on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2011. The individual state winners will also receive special certificates of achievement and other gifts from the Worldwide Marriage Encounter movement that same day. The state winners will be presented their certificates by Worldwide Marriage Encounter couples.
Nominations are open to all husband and wife couple. The deadline is midnight on Jan. 10, 2011.
Send the name of the couple, their wedding date and where they currently reside plus a phone or email address to: dickanddiane66@bellsouth.net; Dick and Diane Baumbach 1430 Scorpious Ct. Merritt Island, FL 32953 or call (321) 453-2475.