[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 125 (Wednesday, October 6, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1812-E1813]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               PAYING TRIBUTE TO DICK AND NANCY KNOWLTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 5, 2004

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dick and 
Nancy Knowlton, two generous and loving people whose extraordinary 
compassion and dedication to each other and the State of Colorado is 
highly commendable. Dick and Nancy will celebrate their fiftieth 
wedding anniversary this year, and I am honored today to bring their 
story and their contributions to their community to the attention of 
this body of Congress and this Nation.
  When Dick was young, his father Lyle suffered a debilitating heart 
attack at the age of 42 and was laid-off from his job for medical 
reasons. To make ends meet, the family would buy dilapidated homes and 
fix them up for profit. As a result, their living conditions were often 
barely habitable. Dick and his six brothers and sisters were raised by 
both Lyle and Rose. Rose was a sweet and lovely woman who took loving 
care of each of her children. It was Rose's love and guidance that led 
all of her seven children to lead successful lives. Upon graduation 
from high school, Dick attended college on a football scholarship at 
the University of Colorado where he would meet his future bride, Nancy 
VanDerbur. After he graduated from college, he received his papers for 
government service, and Dick and Nancy were married shortly before he 
left to serve his country.
  Following his military service, Dick returned to work at the Hormel 
Company where he had begun working during the summers at the young age 
of fifteen. Through hard work and many hours of dedication, Dick worked 
his way up to become President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of the 
Hormel Company. Along the way, Dick worked every job in the company 
from the gut shanty to the corner office and each job in between. When 
he retired, Dick received the Horatio-Alger Award in recognition of his 
status as a successful, self-made man. Fellow recipients of this 
prestigious award are Colin Powell, Henry Kissinger, Wayne Huizenga and 
fellow Coloradan

[[Page E1813]]

Phil Anschutz. Dick is still very active in the Horatio Alger 
organization, which provides scholarships for kids with disadvantaged 
backgrounds.
  Nancy was born and raised in Denver. Her grandfather founded Olinger 
Mortuaries, which Nancy's father eventually took over. Nancy and her 
sisters Gwen, Val, and Marilyn worked odd jobs at the family business 
before they all would eventually attend the University of Colorado. All 
four of the VanDerbur girls were beautiful, young, and successful 
women. Nancy's sister Marilyn would go on to win Miss America in 1958. 
Nancy is the consummate wife, mother and friend. She provides the 
strength that motivates Dick to be a strong father and community 
figure, and her work behind-the-scenes is worthy of multiple praises. 
Nancy is a warm and friendly person who is beloved by her many friends 
and family members, including each of her five children.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a rare and beautiful thing when a couple's love 
and devotion for each other shines as brightly as does the love between 
Dick and Nancy Knowlton after fifty years of marriage. I rise before my 
colleagues today to recognize that beautiful accomplishment and to 
applaud the example that Dick and Nancy's loving marriage provides to 
countless Coloradoans. It is an honor to congratulate them on fifty 
years of dedication to each other, and I wish them all the best in the 
years ahead.

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