[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO BUD DEMEREST

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 15, 2000

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep regret that I inform our 
colleagues of the recent passing of one of my truly outstanding 
constituents.
  William McNeal Demerest, known to his may loved ones, friends, and 
admirers as ``Bud'', was a school teacher for 37 years. He was 
respected by his students because he not only taught them that 
community service is the greatest work of life, but he also led them by 
example. Bud served as Supervisor of the Town of Chester, N.Y., for 
twenty years, from 1950 until 1970. In those days, Orange County was 
governed by a Board of Supervisors and Bud was extremely active in that 
capacity. He also served as the Board of Supervisors minority leader 
for most of the years he served on that panel.
  Bud will especially be remembered for his extraordinary efforts, 
after the close of World War II, in establishing the Orange County 
Community College (OCCC). The movement to establish two-year colleges 
had not yet caught fire nationwide at that point, but Bud was a prophet 
in foreseeing the benefit it would present not only for students but 
also for the economy of the whole region. When OCCC was established in 
1950, Bud was appointed to their Board of Directors and served in that 
capacity for 23 years.
  Bud Demerest was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War 
II. He was also a 50-year member of the Walton Engine and Hose Company, 
a life member of the Orange County Volunteer Firemen's Association, and 
the New York State Firemen's Association. He was also active in the 
American Legion, the Masons and Shriners, the Chester Historical 
Society, the Chester Little League, and many other community 
organizations.
  Bud was predeceased by his lovely wife Ruth, but is survived by one 
son, one daughter, six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and several 
nieces and nephews. William ``Bud'' Demerest served the public in many 
capacities, but each was outstanding as a good neighbor and friend. He 
will long be missed.

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