[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   PAYING TRIBUTE TO RAYMOND PETERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 2002

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
pay tribute to the life and memory of Raymond Harold Peterson who 
recently passed away in Grand Junction, Colorado on February 17, 2002. 
Raymond, also known as Ray, will always be remembered as a dedicated 
contributor to his community and this nation. His passing is a great 
loss for his family and a town that relied on Ray for his kind heart, 
knowledge, and friendship.
  Raymond was born in Iowa in 1920 and served his country gallantly in 
World War II. As a member of the U.S. Army Fourth Infantry Division, 
Raymond served in Germany during the latter part of the war. His 
actions and wounds were recognized several times throughout the course 
of the war, notably with the Bronze Star Medal for Valor and the Purple 
Heart Medal for wounds sustained in combat. Following his service to 
his country in the war, Raymond married his sweetheart Kathleen in 
November of 1945, eventually settling in Colorado. There he worked for 
the General Services Administration at the Denver Federal Center until 
his retirement in 1967.
  Raymond remained involved in his community throughout his life and 
was often found immersed in his true passion, nature. He is survived by 
his loving wife Kathleen, daughters Judith and Connie, and several 
grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I know the passing of a love one 
is difficult, but I hope his family finds comfort in knowing that 
Raymond's kindness and generosity will live on through his family and 
friends.
  Mr. Speaker, Raymond Peterson will be greatly missed by the many 
whose lives he has touched in the community, and this nation. As a 
veteran, Raymond fought to uphold the values that we as Americans 
cherish dearly today and throughout his career he worked for his fellow 
citizens. I am grateful to Raymond and the many others of his 
generation who gave of themselves selflessly so that we may enjoy the 
freedom of democracy today. It is with a solemn heart that we say 
goodbye and pay our respects to a patriarch of the Peterson family and 
the Grand Junction community.

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