[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 14, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO FREDERICK W. SILVERTHORNE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 14, 1998

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
outstanding achievements of Mr. Frederick W. Silverthorne on his 80th 
birthday. I ask my colleagues to join me in sending warm wishes to Mr. 
Silverthorne on this special day.
  Mr. Silverthorne has served his country both in the Armed Services 
and as an elected official. After he graduated from the University of 
Illinois, Mr. Silverthorne served twenty-seven years in the U.S. Navy 
where he earned several medals and commendations for his bravery, 
including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He retired from active duty 
after attaining the rank of Captain. His position as a naval aviator on 
the aircraft carrier Coral Sea allowed him to fly multiple types of 
aircraft. Mr. Silverthorne's bravery and valor are demonstrated by his 
experiences while fighting in World War II, the Korean War, and the 
Vietnam War. He retired from the Navy in 1968 and joined the National 
Security Industrial Association (NSIA) where he specialized in anti-
submarine warfare for twenty years.
  Mr. Silverthorne moved to the City of Fairfax in 1962. In the 1970's, 
he served on the City's Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation 
Board. He generously volunteered his time and guided the city at a time 
when it was experiencing rapid growth as a suburb of Metro Washington. 
He also served as a member of the Board and President of the Old Lee 
Hills Civic Association over the past thirty years and is still 
currently active in the organization. He helped put Old Lee Hills on 
the map as a politically active community. Mr. Silverthorne was elected 
to the Fairfax City Council in 1974 and was then elected Mayor of 
Fairfax in 1978 and re-elected in 1980. He took this position at a time 
when Fairfax City was feuding with Fairfax County over the city's 
independence. He was elected on a platform of preserving ties with 
Fairfax County including its' school systems. The 1978 Mayoral election 
had the largest municipal turnout in City history with well over 4,000 
people voting.
  Mr. Silverthorne retired from the NSIA in 1988 after a long and 
distinguished career. Retirement has not slowed Mr. Silverthorne down, 
he remains active in all facets of his community. As a former champion 
diver, he gives diving lessons at the Country Club Hills Pool which he 
has been doing for 20 years. He is an avid golfer, playing any and 
everyday the temperature is over 40 degrees. Mr. Silverthorne is also 
embracing the technology age by taking computer classes.
  Mr. Silverthorne married the former Bette Brackett in 1943. They had 
four children: Craig, Janet, Nancy, and Scott. Scott has moved on to 
follow in his father's footsteps by serving as a five term member of 
the Fairfax City Council.
  Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please join me in honoring the 
birthday of Frederick W. Silverthorne. As Mayor John Mason stated, 
``Frederick Silverthorne has made an enormous contribution to the 
Fairfax community not only as mayor or but as an outstanding civic 
leader.'' His 80 years have showed us what being a devoted and loyal 
American truly means.

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