[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 87 (Monday, July 10, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1192]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO TURNER N. ROBERTSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EVA M. CLAYTON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 10, 2000

  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, July 2, 2000, a long-time 
official of the House will be laid to rest in Scotland Neck, North 
Carolina. At age 91, Turner N. Robertson has been called to rest and to 
reside in a place of total peace.
  Mr. Robertson came to Congress in 1939, with then Representative John 
Kerr. He served in various positions until 1947, when he was appointed 
by Speaker Sam Rayburn as Chief of Page. He served in that position 
until his retirement in 1972, and moved to Coral Springs, Florida. Yet, 
even in retirement, he was consulted by Speakers John McCormick and 
Carl Albert. He received the Employee of the Year Award for the House 
of Representatives in 1971. A plaque to this effect hangs in the U.S. 
Capitol, across from the Speaker's office
  Turner was a gentle man, a true and honest American, a devoted 
husband and loving father. All who knew him were touched by his 
humility, strength of character and faith in God. He was well respected 
on Capitol Hill, and his friends spanned the spectrum from the 
Congresspersons he served to the Pages he supervised.
  Born in Macon, North Carolina, on April 22, 1909, his early life 
involved great personal sacrifice. Yet, he was guided by faith. He is 
survived by his wife of 60 years, Ernestine, his daughter Barbara, his 
brother Bernard and sister Mrytice. His earthly family incluced many 
relatives, friends and church families in Washington, DC, Virginia, 
North Carolina and Florida. Turner N. Robertson was an ordinary man who 
was special and a special man who was ordinary.
  God's finger has gently touched him and he now sleeps. I am confident 
that he has left a lastng impression on those who came to know him, and 
the principles that guided him will now serve as guideposts for those 
he leaves behind. He shall surely be missed. I feel certain, however, 
that he would want all of us to rejoice in his life and the time he 
spent on this earth.

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