[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 119 (Thursday, September 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   PAYING TRIBUTE TO RUDOLPH CRESPIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 2002

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and 
memory of Rudolph Crespin of Mack, Colorado. Rudolph dedicated his life 
to working the land and fought to defend the freedoms of this nation, 
and it is with honor I stand today to recognize Rudolph for his great 
service to our nation and our communities.
  Rudolph was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico on December 16, 1919 to 
Rafael and Paulina (Quesnil) Crespin. He grew up in the nearby Antlers 
Rifle area and married Frances Romero. In World War II, Rudolph served 
in the US Army overseas. His service to this nation is commendable and 
its value immeasurable. It is all too easy to take for granted the 
freedoms that he helped secure through his service; but we cannot allow 
ourselves to forget the important sacrifices of men and women like 
Rudolph Crespin.
  After the war, Rudolph moved to the Western Slope of Colorado where 
he could enjoy his lifelong interests in fishing and hunting. He spent 
the next 40 years farming in the Rifle and Loma areas, where good sense 
and industry are still the backbones of the economy. He also became a 
member of other communities and resided in the Grand Valley and Mack. 
His legacy includes his four sons; Sam, Rudy, Santos, and David 
Crespin; as well as nine grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rudolph Crespin's life and memory 
before this body of Congress and this nation. His courage to serve our 
country, even the world, in a terrible global conflict showed his 
mettle, as did his commitment to the values and principles of 
agriculture and the communities he served. As his family and friends 
mourn his life, they can take comfort that the impact of his 
contributions to his nation will not be forgotten. Rudolph's lifetime 
of contributions to the communities of Colorado and this nation 
deserves our praise and I am proud to honor him today.

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