[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 69 (Friday, May 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO JUDGE BURRELL MERRITT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 2003

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate 
the accomplishments and character of a great American, a great friend 
and a constituent of mine, Judge Burrell Merritt. Burrell celebrated 
his 61st birthday this weekend and I was pleased to be a part of the 
celebration honoring him.
  A lifelong resident of Brooksville, a graduate of Hernando High 
School, and a lawyer educated at the University of Florida, Burrell is 
a true Floridian and an outstanding lawyer and community leader.
  In 1968 he joined the Richard E. McGee law firm as an associate and 
later that year he became a municipal judge for the City of 
Brooksville. In 1970 he became a partner in his own law firm, McGee and 
Merritt. In 1985, he was named a partner of a new firm, Merritt, High, 
Underwood & Eppley and in 1985 he was made senior partner in the 
Merritt and Mason firm.
  In 1998 after thirty years practicing law, Burrell became a Circuit 
Judge for the Fifth Circuit serving Hernando County. He currently works 
with civil, family law, probate and child support enforcement cases.
  He is a member of the Hernando County Bar Association, the Florida 
Bar Association and the American Bar Association and numerous other 
civic and social organizations, serving a leadership role in many of 
them. His skills and talent as a law professional have been recognized 
by numerous groups and associations. He has received a plethora of 
awards and accolades for his diligent work both as an attorney, judge 
and community member.
  Aside from his accomplishments in his legal profession, Judge Merritt 
is also a Cattle Rancher. He operated the very successful Merritt Farm 
and Livestock Company in Brooksville.
  Mr. Speaker it is easy to see why I am so proud of his 
accomplishments and why they are worthy of recognition on the floor of 
this body.

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