[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 27 (Thursday, February 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MS. OLA RICHBOURG

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 12, 2003

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker I rise today to honor one of 
Florida's most cherished and dedicated citizens, whom over the course 
of her life has given an immeasurable amount of time and effort to the 
community that she has worked so hard to build. On February 15, 2003, 
the city of Laurel Hill will honor Ms. Ola Richbourg as its Citizen of 
the Year for 2003, recognizing her long and distinguished period of 
service to the Laurel Hill community.
  Born on March 27, 1921 in the same wood frame home where she lives 
today, Ola is described by her peers as a lady that will go out of her 
way to help others. The daughter of John Franklin and Katie Haynes 
Richbourg, she learned the value of working for her community at an 
early age from her father who served three terms as a state 
representative, beginning in 1907. In 1977, she was appointed to the 
position of County Clerk of Laurel Hill and was subsequently elected, 
in 1979, to the City Council, where she remained for thirteen years.
  Even more remarkable is her history of service to her country. Upon 
graduating from Laurel Hill High School in 1939 and attending a 
government-run school in Ocala where she learned shorthand and typing, 
Ola joined the United States Marine Corps on November 5, 1943, during 
the height of World War II. It was at a movie that Ola saw a commercial 
asking women to join the military in order to free up men to fight 
overseas. To Ola, it was an easy decision. She was simply doing 
whatever she could to help her country in a time of crisis, but her 
decision would have a profound impact on the future of our nation. It 
was her, and many other women's, choice to fight for her country, that 
would open up all kinds of new doors for women. Following World War II, 
Ola returned to Laurel Hill, believing she was done with military 
service. However, shortly thereafter, the Korean War broke out and she 
reenlisted without hesitation. Dedicating herself to the Marine Corps 
for nearly two decades, Ola retired as a Tech Sergeant in 1966.
  Her strength and determination led her to fight for her country in 
one of the most important world conflicts of the 20th century and to 
personally win a battle against cancer of the larynx. Her smile is 
contagious and her heart as big as they come. She remembers how a 
nickel could once buy a big RC Cola and lots of candy and that fateful 
day when she learned where Pearl Harbor was, changing her life forever. 
It his her kindness and humility that have allowed her to do so much 
for so many during her life and I know she will continue to do so in 
the years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer my sincere and heartfelt 
congratulations to Ms. Ola Richbourg as she receives this special 
recognition as Laurel Hill's Citizen of the Year. Her contributions to 
the citizens of Laurel Hill and the United States of America are 
significant and impressive and I consider her a patriot of the highest 
order. On this such occasion, we honor a great soldier, civil servant, 
and neighbor; one of America's greatest citizens.

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