[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 72 (Thursday, May 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO DR. MILLER WICKLIFFE ``WICK'' LAWRENCE, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding individual from my district, Dr. Miller Wickliffe ``Wick'' 
Laurence, Jr., who was just inducted post-mortem into the Corney Creek 
Hall of Fame. Dr. Wick's tireless service and genuine commitment to his 
patients, family and community were truly remarkable and inspiring.
  Born in 1912 and raised in Bernice, Louisiana, he was a graduate of 
Bernice High School and Louisiana Tech University. While he aspired to 
a career in dentistry, the nation was suffering through the Depression, 
and his career was postponed while he taught chemistry at Bernice High 
School. In 1934, he enrolled in the Atlanta Southern Dental College, 
marrying Cortez Hicks along the way. Dr. Wick and his new bride 
returned to Bernice upon his graduation and he set up a practice, which 
he maintained for 40 years.
  Dr. Wick served in the United States Army Dental Corp, enlisting at 
Fort Walters, Texas with assignments at Camp Livingston, Louisiana; 
Fort Lewis, Washington; Brigham City, Utah; Camp Beale, California and 
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He was honorably discharged in 1946 with 
the rank of Major.
  Dr. Wick was a member of the Fifth District Dental Society, the 
American Dental Association, the Fellowship in the Academy of General 
Dentistry, the Louisiana Dental Association, and the Phi Omega Dental 
Fraternity. He was a founding member of the Bernice Volunteer Fire 
Department and served as town councilman for Bernice for 24 years. An 
avid horseman, he held memberships in the Louisiana Quarter Horse 
Association, the American Hereford Association and the American Junior 
Quarter Horse Association. Dr. Wick was also involved with the 
Louisiana Farm Bureau, the Union Parish Farm Bureau, the Louisiana 
Forestry Association and the Louisiana Cattleman's Association.
  Dr. Wick was also heavily involved and supportive of youth programs 
in Union Parish. As a former Boy Scout, he donated money and 
volunteered as a merit badge counselor to Troop 48 of Bernice and Troop 
59 of Ruston. His generosity was also bestowed in time and money to the 
Ouachita Valley Council and the Thunderbird District. Dr. Wick strongly 
believed that every child who wanted an education should have one, and 
he provided financial assistance to many young people for college and 
business or technical school. He opened his office doors to dental 
graduates to work in his practice until they were secure enough to 
establish practices in neighboring towns.
  Dr. Wick passed away in September of 1999 at the age of 87. He was a 
father and grandfather and was married to his wife Cortez for nearly 63 
years. His life was rich, and he enriched the lives of others by the 
charitable giving of his time and money to so many community and youth 
organizations.
  Dr. Wick deserves the honor of Congressional recognition, for his 
outstanding contributions to his family, our community and our state 
and I am proud to recognize his notable accomplishments and manifold 
contributions.

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