[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E419-E420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PAYING TRIBUTE TO JOHN WOODARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 2002

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I pay 
tribute today to Mr. John Woodard, an incredible man, who recently 
passed away at the age of 76. John was loved by each and every person 
whose life he touched, and he will be sorely missed

[[Page E420]]

by all who knew and loved him. He was a person of unquestioned 
integrity and of unparalleled morality, and is truly an inspiration to 
us all. As his family mourns his loss, I believe it is appropriate to 
remember John and pay tribute to him for his warm heart, and his many 
contributions to Saguache County and the State of Colorado.
  John was born and raised on his family's homestead just southeast of 
Saguache, Colorado, which was founded in the 1890s by his grandfather 
and great-uncle. He completed his higher education at Colorado State 
University, and then returned to the ranch, working with the land as 
both a rancher and a cowboy. John was a life-long rancher and ranching 
educator, creating pamphlets and other materials on the subject. During 
World War II, he took time off from ranching to serve his country in 
the Pacific theatre. John continued his service to his fellow citizens 
by becoming Saguache County Commissioner, selflessly serving three 
terms beginning in 1958. His service and dedication to his community 
and to his state are exactly the attributes that made John the 
incredible person that he was. I, along with the people of Saguache 
County, am grateful for all of the hard work and passion that he lent 
to his job and to his fellow citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, we are all terribly saddened by the loss of John 
Woodard, but take comfort in the knowledge that our grief is 
overshadowed only by the legacy of courage, selflessness and love that 
he left with all of us. His dedication to the community of Saguache 
County was extraordinary, though his life was more so. John Woodard's 
life is the very embodiment of all that makes this country great, and I 
am deeply honored to be able to bring his life to the attention of this 
body of Congress.

                          ____________________