[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 21, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10902-S10903]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO RICHARD D. ORR

 Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, the Sons of Union Veterans of the 
Civil War [SUVCW] is a congressionally chartered organization dedicated 
to preserving the memory of Union veterans and their sacrifices on 
behalf of our Nation. Today, I rise to recognize an exceptional 
Pennsylvanian, Mr. Richard D. Orr, who was recently elected commander-
in-chief of the SUVCW.
  Richard's forefathers answered the call to duty during the Civil War. 
His great-great-grandfather, Pvt. Peter Paul Gallisath, served in the 
5th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Another great-great-grandfather, Sgt. Martin 
Schaefer, served in Pennsylvania Militia of 1863, which defended the 
arsenal at Pittsburgh during the Gettysburg Campaign. His great-great-
grandfather, Sgt. David Orr, was a member of the 14th Pennsylvania 
Cavalry. Other Union veterans in Richard's family include his great-
great-great uncle, Capt. Bardele Gallisath of the 5th Pennsylvania 
Cavalry, and Medal of Honor recipient Col. Robert L. Orr, of the 61st 
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.
  Since joining the SUVCW on April 11, 1981, Richard has been very 
active in the organization. A life member, Richard has served the 
Pittsburgh Davis Camp as camp commander and treasurer. After attending 
his first department encampment in 1982, he immediately took an active 
role at the department level. He has served the Pennsylvania Department 
as patriotic instructor, junior vice commander, senior vice commander, 
counselor, department council member, and department commander. In the 
national organization, Richard has held the positions of committee 
chairman, trial commissioner, national treasurer, national counselor, 
junior vice commander-in-chief, and senior vice commander-in-chief.
  I am pleased to note that Mr. Orr is equally active in his community. 
A former Eagle Scout, the new commander-in-chief continued his 
affiliation with the Boy Scouts of America as a volunteer for more than 
35 years. In fact, Richard was awarded the District Award of Merit for 
his many years as a volunteer with the Boy Scouts. Similarly, the Boy 
Scouts' National Court of Honor presented him the Silver Beaver Award--
the highest honor that can be conferred upon a volunteer. Likewise, the 
National Catholic Committee on Scouting recognized his contributions to 
youth with the St. George Award.
  Mr. Orr is employed as an environmental health administrator by the 
Allegheny County Health Department

[[Page S10903]]

[ACHD]. He has worked for ACHD for the past 19 years in a variety of 
programs including public drinking water, waste management, food 
protection, housing, community environment, and emergency response. 
Currently, he is responsible for evaluating, acquiring, and 
coordinating the training needs for all ACHD employees. Richard has 
earned the respect of colleagues and subordinates alike for his 
uncompromising dedication to sound principles of environmental health 
and environmental protection. Others outside the ACHD have taken notice 
as well. Richard received two community service citations from the 
Allegheny County Board of Commissioners. Also, the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers presented him with the Planning Excellence Award for his role 
in the development of an intragovernmental plan to provide an 
uninterrupted supply of drinking water during environmental 
emergencies.
  Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending the 
Senate's best wishes for continued success to Mr. Orr and his 
family.

                          ____________________