[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 139 (Wednesday, October 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1977-E1978]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO NORMAN WAYNE WRIGHT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 8, 1997

  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today 
to pay tribute to Mr. Norman Wayne Wright of Colorado, who was taken 
from us and sent to the Lord on August 19, 1997. Norman was a dedicated 
Republican committed to the beliefs and ideals of the Republican party. 
He never failed to lend support when it was needed. The Baca Weekly in 
Colorado described Mr. Wright the following way:

       As one who entered this life on August 17, 1954, in 
     Hutchinson, Kansas, to bless the home of George and Madge 
     Wright. There he joined two brothers, Gary and Jerry, and was 
     later joined by a brother Mark, and two sisters, Carol and 
     Melinda. He lived in several different states during his 
     childhood and was graduated from the Lovington High School in 
     Lovington, NM in 1972.
       In 1973, Norman joined the Armed Services, where he served 
     for 3 years in the Army until 1976. During that time he was 
     stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Polk, Fort Riley and for 
     1 year in Germany. During the early part of his Armed 
     Services stint, he met Paulette Alfrey, and they were married 
     on January 12, 1974. They have shared the blessing and 
     direction of the Lord upon their lives for more than 23 years 
     and their children Shade Harley, Lea Ann, and Gabriel Henry.
       When Norman was around 10 years of age, he accepted Christ 
     as his personal savior. The story of the rest of his life 
     could be told in terms of God's gracious dealings in his 
     heart. In July of 1974, he joined the membership of First 
     Baptist Church of Walsh, CO, where he faithfully served the 
     Lord until his passing. He grew to believe that the greatest 
     possession of his life was his relationship to Christ, and 
     the sharing of that relationship with others was his greatest 
     accomplishment. Norman had an open heart and an open home, 
     and he ministered to many people because of it.
       Norman had varied interests and abilities. He loved horses; 
     riding them, breaking them, shoeing them, training them and 
     working them. He liked to braid cowboy gear, go hunting, 
     fishing, looking for arrowheads, guiding people through the 
     canyons while explaining the writings and the ancient 
     paintings on the canyon walls, or just sitting down with a 
     good history book, or even Baxter Black's poetry. He enjoyed 
     good simple music with a clear message like one might hear 
     from the Chuckwagon Gang, and he also liked to sing along 
     with friends and his guitar. Family activities were special 
     to him, and getting together with friends, whether for coffee 
     or for branding, brought him a great deal of joy.
       Norman volunteered his time to serve in his church, taught 
     a Sunday School class, and ushered faithfully. He has served 
     as a municipal judge, a city council chairman, a 
     representative for ``Colorado For Family Values'' and as a 
     guest speaker for the Baca County Historical Society. Some of 
     the recent, cherished highlights of his life include fishing 
     with Gabe, taking his family out, going to Indianapolis with 
     John to see Shade and watch the Speedway Races with him, 
     speaking to Boy Scout Troop #71 in Colorado Springs on 
     commitment, sharing in the 25th Anniversary of his parents' 
     pastorate in Junction City, KS, and celebrating his 43rd 
     birthday on Sunday, August 17.
       Norman was preceded in death by his brother George Henry 
     Wright Jr. in 1952. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife 
     Paulette and children Shade, Lea, and Gabe of the home in 
     Walsh, CO; his parents George and Madge of Junction City, KS; 
     his three brothers, Gary and wife Sheila also of Junction 
     City, KS; Jerry and wife Nita of Chapman, KS; Mark and Alicia 
     of Fredonia, KS; and two sisters, Carol and husband Lionel 
     Martin of Queses, Portugal; and Melinda and husband Rod 
     Thompson of Moore, OK. Also missing him are his father-in-law 
     and mother-in-law Eugene and Verna Lee Alfrey of Walsh, CO, 
     brother-in-law Loyd Brown and

[[Page E1978]]

     wife of Granada, CO; John Brown and wife Patricia of Campo, 
     CO; sister-in-law Cheryl and husband Paul George of Amarillo, 
     TX; plus many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends and 
     relatives.

  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to share some thoughts his wife 
Paulette shared with me. ``I can truthfully say my husband was 
honorable. His heart dictated what was true and honest. In my eyes, 
many times, he always took the hard road. The easy way out was never 
the right way. For every situation God had already set the standard.''
  Mr. Speaker, Norman Wayne Wright is a symbol of what America stands 
for, family values, hard work and a solid faith in the Lord. Thank you 
for giving me this opportunity to share his memory with the House 
today.

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