[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 6, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO WAYNE A. SIMMONS

 Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise today to offer a tribute to 
a real American hero and a dedicated public servant who recently passed 
away.
  Gunner's mate first class Wayne A. Simmons, U.S. Navy retired, died 
on December 14 at the age of 72 at a hospital in Birmingham, AL, where 
he was undergoing treatment for a vascular ailment.
  Mr. Simmons, who lived in College Park, MD, was born in Minnesota and 
moved to the Washington, DC area as a child. In 1940, he dropped out of 
McKinley High School in DC to enlist in the Canadian Army to serve in 
World War II. When it was discovered that he was underage, he was sent 
home. On his 17th birthday, with the permission of his parents, Wayne 
Simmons enlisted in the U.S. Navy.
  Mr. Simmons was stationed at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese force 
attacked the base and ushered the United States into World War II. He 
served in the Pacific during the war, including service aboard the 
light cruiser, Reno, and was recognized for his efforts in saving the 
ship from sinking after an enemy torpedo attack. Following the war, Mr. 
Simmons served on several more ships and stations until he was 
medically retired from active duty as a gunner's mate first class in 
1953.
  Following his Naval career, Mr. Simmons settled back in the 
Washington, DC area, and earned both a bachelor of science and master's 
degree in accounting from Benjamin Franklin University while working 
for Gateway Finance in Mount Rainier. He joined the Department of 
Agriculture in 1968, where he was a food program specialist until his 
retirement in 1982.
  Mr. Simmons attended Berwyn Baptist Church in College Park, MD, for 
40 years and served as a deacon in his church. He was a member of the 
American Legion Post No. 33 in Washington, DC and the Birmingham 
Masonic Lodge in Beltsville, MD.
  Mr. Simmons's family includes his lovely wife of 46 years, Patricia 
W. Simmons of College Park, MD; two daughters, Patricia S. Bradshaw of 
Silver Spring, MD, and Peggy E. Wagner of Crownsville, MD; two sons, 
Wayne S. and Michael L. Simmons, both of Bowie, MD; and eight 
grandchildren.
  Mr. President, Wayne Simmons's life was one of service and devotion--
exemplary service to the U.S. Navy and this great Nation of ours and 
unwavering devotion and love for his wife, his family, and his church. 
He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

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