[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 54 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E637-E638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF MAYOR GERALD GILKEY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ROY BLUNT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 26, 2001

  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute Mayor Gerald Gilkey on 
his 42 years of public service to the Lamar city government. Mayor 
Gilkey retired from public life on April 16th, 2001. His exceptional 
career with the City of Lamar began in April 1959, with six years as a 
councilman in Lamar city government. In 1965, he was elected mayor, a 
position to which he would be re-elected 17 times; serving an 
astounding total of 36 years.
  Mayor Gilkey has diligently served the people of Lamar, Missouri for 
over three decades. His dedication to public service and to the 
community of Lamar is to be commended. The

[[Page E638]]

Mayor has worked tirelessly to ensure that Lamar continues to grow. 
Under his dedicated leadership, the city developed a 45 acre city park 
that includes a multiple outdoor sports complex, walking trails and 
picnic areas. Recently, Mayor Gilkey led the effort to build Southwest 
Missouri's first aquatic park located in the Lamar City Park. A $1.3 
million water treatment plant was built due to the Mayor's leadership. 
Mayor Gilkey was instrumental in guiding the construction of an 800 
seat, state of the art, ``Thiebaud'' auditorium that is used by the 
community, area schools and organizations.
  Mayor Gilkey is the recipient of numerous awards including the Lamar 
Chamber of Commerce, ``Man of the Year'' in 1990; in 1982 he shared 
``top newsmaker'' with the city council. In 1994, he was honored with 
the ``Outstanding Community Service'' award from the Lamar Rotary Club. 
In 1997 at the Homemaker Cooking Show, he was awarded Lamar Democrat's 
MVP. Mayor Gilkey's presence can also be found throughout the Southwest 
corner of Missouri. He has served on countless boards and committees 
where his visionary representation helped influence the growth and 
improvement of the area.
  On June 18, 2001, Gerald and his wife Betty will celebrate their 59th 
wedding anniversary. Mayor Gilkey has had a great partner and in 1961, 
Gerald and Betty purchased what is now the Gilkey Automotive Group, and 
their son, Steve, is now the general manager.
  Mr. Speaker, it is clear that we will miss an inspirational member of 
the Lamar community with Mayor Gilkey's retirement from public service. 
I am sure that I speak for many when I say that his tireless work will 
not soon be forgotten and that we are all thankful. I would like to 
personally wish him well in this new stage of his life and know that he 
will continue to be a presence in Lamar, Missouri. I am certain that my 
colleagues will join me in honoring this remarkable man.

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