[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 102 (Wednesday, June 21, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S8817]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     TRIBUTE TO COL. LANNING RISHER

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to a man who is 
not only a dear friend, but someone who in the course of his life has 
done much to serve his State and Nation.
  Col. Lanning Parsons Risher was born in 1931 to one of the most 
distinguished and well-known families in South Carolina. His father ran 
the well-respected Carlisle Military School in Bamberg and was 
recognized throughout the State for his stature as an educator.
  Completing his preparatory studies at Carlisle, Colonel Risher felt 
comfortable in a military environment and decided to pursue his college 
education at The Citadel, a rigorous and demanding institution with a 
reputation for producing leaders. Upon his graduation from The Citadel, 
Lanning chose to serve his Nation in the military, earning a commission 
in the infantry of the U.S. Army.
  After fulfilling his military obligation, Colonel Risher joined the 
teaching staff of his alma matter, the Carlisle Military School, where 
he taught for 3 years. In 1958 a new opportunity and challenge 
presented itself to the young instructor and veteran, the chance to 
serve as the headmaster of the Camden Military Academy, a preparatory 
military school. Grabbing the reins, the new headmaster set out to make 
the Camden Military Academy a success.
  For the past 38 years, Col. Lanning Parsons Risher has poured his 
very life's blood into his school, working to not only make the academy 
profitable, but to ensure that his students received an education that 
could not be equaled by any other secondary military preparatory 
school. I am proud to say that my friend has achieved his goals. Over 
the past almost four decades, literally thousands of young boys entered 
Camden Military Academy and graduated as young men, capable and ready 
for the challenges of the military, college, or whatever other endeavor 
they believed to be their destiny.
  Mr. President, at the end of April, Colonel Risher's long and 
distinguished tenure as headmaster came to a close. I doubt a visit to 
the school will ever be the same knowing that Colonel Risher is not 
sitting in his office, administering to the needs of his charges.
  While I know that Lanning will no doubt miss the duties and 
responsibilities of running Camden Military Academy, he can take great 
pride in all that he has accomplished. Over the years, the colonel has 
received recognitions from a number of different groups. Committed to 
community service, Colonel Risher has served as a member and officer of 
an impressive list of organizations which include, but are not limited 
to: a bank; patriotic and veterans groups; civic clubs; and 
professional associations. There is no question that the city of Camden 
and the State of South Carolina have benefited from Lanning Risher's 
interest and commitment to so many worthwhile endeavors.
  In addition to meeting the demands of running the academy and being 
civically involved, Colonel Risher also managed to find time to pursue 
and earn a master's degree from the University of South Carolina and 
raise a family. Lanning and his lovely wife, Deane, raised five 
daughters--Julie, Helen Dean, Virginia, Mary, and, Kathleen--who have 
all grown into fine young women.
  Mr. President, after a long and full career as a soldier and 
educator, Col. Lanning P. Risher has earned a well deserved rest. We 
are grateful for the colonel's many years of service to his community, 
State, and Nation. Through his work, he has given thousands of young 
men the skills they require to be successful in their lives, instilling 
in them the values of a sound education, responsibility for themselves, 
and a love for their Nation. His former students are more than grateful 
for his influence on their lives, and they will always remember the 
contribution he made to their success.


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