[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 9, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO MERRILL P. RICHARDSON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 9, 1999

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding 
service and dedication Mr. Merrill P. Richardson, Jr. has made to his 
family, community and country. Merrill has recently retired and I would 
like to take a moment to commend all his hard work and achievements.
  A native of Brewer, Maine, Merrill committed himself to serving our 
country early on by joining the National Guard at the age of sixteen. 
One year later, Merrill enlisted in the U.S. Army and began a career 
that took him all over the U.S. and the world, including South Korea, 
West Germany, Turkey, Vietnam and England. It was here that Merrill met 
and married his wife of 40 years, Elizabeth. Merrill served our country 
faithfully and honorably and upon retirement had earned, among several 
honors and decorations, the Good Conduct Medal, the Meritorious Service 
Medal, the RNV Civil Action Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the 
National Defense Service Medal and the Bronze Star.
  After being honorably discharged from the service, Merrill began a 
second career at Kansas State University where he worked for 20 years 
before retiring. Currently, Merrill is living in St. George, Kansas 
with Elizabeth and enjoying life with his five children Linda, Merrill 
III, Jeffrey, Christina and Steven, nine grandchildren and one great-
grandchild.
  In a time where the concepts of family and dedication are becoming 
more and more trivialized, people like Merrill offer hope and assurance 
to us all. Merrill has shown that the ideals of hard work and 
patriotism are not old-fashioned, but qualities of strength and 
character. I would like to join with many others in honoring Merrill 
for all his remarkable achievements and wishing him great happiness and 
success in all his future endeavors.

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