[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 59 (Friday, April 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E738-E739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO JERRY D. LYNCH IN HONOR OF HIS SERVICE ON BEHALF OF MICHIGAN 
                                VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2003

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker I rise today to honor Jerry D. Lynch, State 
Commander of the Michigan American Legion, for his tireless service on 
behalf of all veterans and active duty military personnel through the 
nation's largest wartime veterans' organization, the American Legion.

[[Page E739]]

  I have known and worked with Jerry Lynch for more than a dozen years, 
both during my time as a Michigan State Representative, and as a U.S. 
Representative. He has been a champion of veterans' causes for all of 
those years, and for many years before.
  He is devoted to his community. It is no surprise to me that Jerry's 
first official act as Michigan State Commander after being elected by 
delegates at the American Legion State Convention in 2002 was to lead 
his home town Fourth of July parade in Daggett, Michigan.
  Jerry knows that bringing the ideals of the American Legion and its 
goals and values back home to each community in Michigan is critically 
important to making sure that the contributions of our veterans and our 
active duty military men and women are honored in every day life. He is 
a shining example of those ideals.
  When our fighting men and women have been performing so valiantly in 
Iraq and the welfare of all our veterans is on the minds of every 
American, it is particularly important to recognize the ideals of the 
American Legion as exemplified in Jerry Lynch.
  State Commander Lynch, a Vietnam era veteran of U.S. Navy service, 
has been active at many levels of the American Legion. He has held 
positions at the state level, including Zone Commander, Membership 
Director and has served on the Americanism and New Posts Committees. 
Prior to that, he served as Commander of the Upper Peninsula 
Association, was a District Committeeman, and held several offices at 
Stephenson, Michigan Post 43, including that of Commander.
  Jerry's lovely wife Judy is now the Legion's ``First Lady'' and will 
contribute her own special brand of activism and support to Legion 
causes. The Lynches have three children, Kim, Kelly and Donald.
  Jerry's talents for leadership and service have been his great gift 
to the American Legion, and to Upper Peninsula veterans in particular. 
No task was too small--or too big--to get Jerry's attention, if it 
needed doing. He always comes through.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today asking that you and our House colleagues 
join me in relaying our respect and our appreciation to Jerry D. Lynch, 
who exemplifies the American Legion ideal, but more importantly, who is 
a perfect example of the human ideals of service to his fellow man and 
remembrance of those who have served before him.

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