[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 26 (Wednesday, March 3, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN MEMORY OF HAROLD E. DETWILER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 3, 2004

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Harold E. 
Detwiler who passed away on Saturday, January 31, 2004. He was a 
wonderful person who contributed so much to his community.
  Born on March 3, 1930, in New Enterprise, PA, Mr. Detwiler was taught 
at a young age the advantages of freedom and democracy that this 
country offers its citizens. After graduating from Replogle High School 
in 1948, and marrying his wife, E. Anne Baker, on November 21, 1953, 
Harold became the personification of patriotism. He served with the 
military police in the Korean War, rising to the rank of Private First 
Class before completing his duty. He returned to Pennsylvania to serve 
as a deacon of St. John's United Church of Christ in Martinsburg, where 
he later acted as a member for the majority of his life.
  Mr. Detwiler found his business niche, however, in the Mutual 
Insurance Industry. Throughout his life he acted as chairman of the PA 
Association of Mutual Insurance Companies and the NAMIC Farm 
Underwriting Committee, in addition to acting as a member of the 
National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, the MSO board of 
directors, the AAIS Advisory Council, the Mutual Inspection Bureau 
board of directors, the Sparks Club, and the Eastern Mutual Group, 
among others. In recognition of the time and dedication that he put in 
to attaining professionalism within the insurance industry, NAMIC 
honored him with their merit award and the National Service Award. With 
so much experience and education on the subject, Mr. Detwiler became 
the President and CEO of Everett Cash Mutual and Evergreene Insurance 
Companies, eventually retiring from the position in 1998.
  Although he was a highly influential businessman throughout central 
Pennsylvania, Harold's generosity within the community in which he 
lived far surpassed his fiscal contributions. From 1974 until 1993, he 
served on the Martinsburg Borough Council, eventually rising to the 
position of President. As a member of the D. Merle Tipton VFW Post 43 
and a leader of the Boy Scouts, he willingly passed down his knowledge 
to the children who would benefit the most from his teachings.
  Harold Detwiler was a man who refused to settle for anything less 
than the best. He devoted much of his time to the improvement of 
society, and as a result, Martinsburg is a better place to live. He 
will be missed, but the legacy of his actions and the influence of his 
spirit will never be forgotten.

                          ____________________