[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 137 (Wednesday, October 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1936]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      A TRIBUTE TO FORMER MARYLAND CONGRESSMAN RICHARD E. LANKFORD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 1, 2003

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to note the passing of one of my 
predecessors in representing the Fifth Congressional District of 
Maryland--Richard E. Lankford--who passed away at the age of 89 at his 
Easton home on September 22.
  Born in Wilmington, Delaware, on July 22, 1914, Dick Lankford was 
raised on St. Paul Street in Baltimore's Guilford neighborhood. He 
earned a political science degree from the University of Virginia in 
1937 and then received his law degree from the University of Maryland 
in 1940.
  After being admitted to the Maryland Bar that same year, Dick 
practiced law in Annapolis, where later in life he worked as a tobacco 
and cattle farmer. However, his legal career was interrupted by World 
War Two, during which he served in the Navy as an intelligence officer 
in Europe.
  After the war, Dick worked on the campaign of Governor William 
Preston Lane, Jr., and then in 1948 he entered public life himself when 
he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Maryland House of Delegates. 
He won the election to retain that seat in 1950, and four years later 
he won election to this House of Representatives, defeating the 
incumbent, Republican Frank Small, Jr. Congressman Lankford was re-
elected four times to the House of Representatives, serving 10 years in 
Congress, before deciding to retire in 1964.
  Mr. Speaker, I vividly recall Congressman Lankford as my own 
Congressman when I was still completing my undergraduate studies at the 
University of Maryland in the early 60s. The old Fifth Congressional 
District, which I have been privileged to serve since 1981, then 
stretched all the way from South Baltimore to suburban Washington, and 
included industrial workers in the Curtis Bay area, tobacco farmers in 
Calvert County, Federal government employees in Prince George's County, 
and watermen in Charles County. It's a testament to Dick Lankford's 
ability that he successfully served constituents from such varied 
backgrounds and livelihoods.
  In Congress, Dick Lankford worked hard to secure pay raises and to 
improve working conditions for Federal employees. He also was an early 
advocate for cleaning up Maryland's rivers and the Chesapeake Bay, as 
well as mass transit in the Baltimore-Washington areas. He also served 
with distinction on the Armed Services Committee.
  I want to extend my sincere condolences to Dick's wife, Edna, as well 
as his daughter, Sallie, of Massachusetts, and son, Richard Jr., of 
Millington.
  Dick Lankford was proud of his service in this House. He brought to 
his constituency and to our State energy and a commitment to his 
country that served all of them well. Today, we honor his service to 
the State of Maryland and these United States, and we affirm that it 
indeed will be remembered for many years to come.

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