[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING SIR RAYMOND A. LONG

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 8, 2005

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sir Raymond A. 
Long, in honor of his dedication a commitment to the well being of his 
community and the Jaffa Shrine. For the past 43 years, as Colonel of 
Units for the Shrine, Sir Long's guidance has been the source of 
security and stability and his impact has been widely respected.
  Since the beginning, Sir Long has consistently exhibited the 
qualities to which he is committed, sharing with his community a moral 
code based upon honesty, strength of character, and the highest 
standard of ethics. His values go hand-in-hand with the Shrine's creed 
and his vision for a greater, more influential brotherhood has been 
adopted by the Shrine with open arms. Through the Jaffa Shrine's 
community outreach initiatives, countless children have benefitted from 
orthopaedic, burn and spinal cord care free of charge and the quality 
of life within the community has improved because of its effluence of 
optimism.
  Sir Long has connected with citizens in the area in a way that few 
are able. Since 1938, when he first joined DeMolay, Sir Long has worked 
diligently to make positive changes throughout the community so that 
the area would grow and prosper. Having taken the reigns as a strong 
leader since his youth, he has been a pillar of strength within his 
community, and his ceaseless dedication to the Jaffa Shrine is 
unparalleled. In the 43 years that Sir Long has had a significant hand 
in the Shrine's operations, it has become a driving force of service in 
the area by implementing new and improved health care technology in its 
hospitals, expanding the temple's infrastructure, and increasing the 
laughter and happiness among everyone involved.
  It was during the 1980s, a period in which Sir Long held significant 
positions within the Shrine, that Shrines all across North America 
experienced the greatest expansion in their history. The hospitals 
treated unprecedented numbers of children in need, Temples and Shrines 
expanded both in physical structure and in membership, and the feeling 
of brotherhood spread even further. His uncompromising sense of duty to 
the community in which he lives has been a source of inspiration, and 
the impact he has had is immeasurable.
  For his incomparable generosity, service to the Jaffa Shrine, and 
unabated commitment to excellence, Sir Raymond A. Long deserves the 
highest recognition. Throughout his tenure within the Shrine, Sir Long 
has not only enriched the lives of the other members, but of those in 
the surrounding communities who have undoubtedly benefitted from the 
charity, education and service that they have repeatedly provided. The 
legacy he has created is one that every American should emulate, and 
his contributions will not go unnoticed by the organization for which 
he has served nor the community in which he lives. I would like to 
congratulate Sir Long on his many accomplishments, and I wish him the 
best of luck as he continues his admirable service to the people of 
Blair County.

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