[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 53 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E635-E636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM MAURER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2004

  Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I share with 
my colleagues the news that a distinguished Veteran and longtime 
friend, Bill Maurer, has passed away. I submit the following 
announcement:
  William W. ``Bill'' Maurer, 72, of Fort Collins died Tuesday, April 
13, 2004, at Poudre Valley Hospital. He passed peacefully with his 
family members at his side.
  While in the Wyoming National Guard he rose from the rank of private 
to sergeant first class and was ultimately commissioned as a second 
lieutenant in 1953. He was called to active duty in the, Army in mid 
1953 and attended the Artillery Basic Officers Course at Fort Sill, 
Okla., and then joined the 37th Infantry Division at Fort Polk, La.
  He married Joyce Marie Huntzinger in Douglas on Dec. 28, 1953. They 
were blessed with two children, Deborah Ruth and David William. During 
their marriage, Bill and Joyce traveled to many duty assignments around 
the world with tours of duty in Fort Polk, La.; Fort Sill, Okla.; Fort 
Riley, Kan.; Germany; Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; and Washington, D.C. 
During his military career Bill commanded the 5th Battalion, 29th 
Artillery in the Republic of Vietnam and the 1st Infantry Division 
Artillery at Fort Riley. He also was a graduate of the Army Command and 
General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College. During his 
military career he served in many high-level positions that included 
tours of duty as an Army liaison officer to the U.S. Senate, deputy 
chief of legislative liaison, Office, Secretary of the Army and deputy 
secretary of defense -legislative affairs. He retired from the Army on 
June 30, 1979, with more than 30 years of service at the rank of 
brigadier general. His military decorations include the Silver Star, 
one OLC; Legion of Merit, one OLC; Defense Superior Service Medal, the 
Soldiers Medal, the Bronze Star Medal for valor, one OLC; the Purple 
Heart medal, one OLC; the Meritorious Service Medal, two OLC; the Air 
Medal for valor, 12 OLC; and the Army Commendation Medal, three OLC, 
and numerous foreign and service awards.
  After his retirement he joined Chrysler Corporation as director of 
the Washington office of the Chrysler Defense subsidiary. In 1981 
Chrysler Defense was purchased by General Dynamics Corporation, he 
assumed new duties in the General Dynamics Washington Corporate Office 
as manager of legislative affairs. In 1984 he was promoted to corporate 
director of legislative affairs and later became corporate vice 
president for congressional relations in 1991. He retired from General 
Dynamics in March 1994, and Bill and Joyce relocated to their 
retirement home in Fort Collins, where he still remained active as a 
consultant to General Dynamics.
  He was a 43-year member of the American Legion, a life member of the 
Retired Officers Association, the Reserve Officers Association and the 
Army War College Alumni Association.
  Bill was a generous, caring man who will be missed by all who knew 
him. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.

[[Page E636]]

  Bill is survived by his daughter, Debbie Prentiss; his son-in-law, 
Paul; grandsons, Jason and Steven Prentiss of Fort Collins; his son, 
David Maurer of Fort Collins; and his brother, Richard C. Maurer of 
Manassas, Va.
  Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce of 48 years; 
and his parents, Richard and Lenore Maurer.

                          ____________________