[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 69 (Thursday, May 22, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     TRIBUTE TO DARLENE REINKEMEYER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ROY BLUNT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 1997

  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, Darlene Reinkemeyer became executive director 
of the Missouri Funeral Directors Association in 1992 and almost 
immediately members noticed something had changed for the better.
  With Darlene's directing, memberships increased sharply, membership 
services tripled, and the association's programs for continuing 
education seminars, licensure, and professional development were 
enhanced and scheduled on a more frequent basis.
  The MFDA Newsletter took on a new life with added information and 
diverse advertising. The newsletter is now regarded as one of the best 
in the country.
  Reinkemeyer was a key figure in restoring credibility to the Missouri 
Funeral Trust by developing effective contracts, folders, and forms and 
implementing a computerized record keeping system that gave the system 
new accountability, and reduced costs. The MFT now manages $30 million. 
The system Reinkemeyer authored has been copied in other States.
  Darlene also put the Missouri Funeral Directors Association into the 
information age, too. The MFDA is on the Internet and its offices are 
computerized. In the last year, she was instrumental in providing the 
MDFA with new offices and headquarters building. The Association, with 
Reinkemeyer at the helm, is financially stable with a sound process of 
planning and acquisition of assets and capital improvements.
  Darlene Reinkemeyer has decided to leave her position, and funeral 
home directors in Missouri will miss her. Her efforts have improved the 
profession in Missouri to the benefit of those persons who need their 
services in times of great bereavement. We wish Darlene Reinkemeyer the 
very best in her pursuits.

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