[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  REGARDING JOYCE McMILLIN AND HER LEGACY TO THE TRI-CITIES COMMUNITY

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                           HON. DOC HASTINGS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 8, 2005

  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to Joyce McMillin, a constituent of mine who dedicated so much of her 
time and energy to honoring the brave men and women who have served our 
Nation in uniform. Honoring. our veterans was a priority for Joyce--as 
it should be for all Americans.
  Along with her husband Tom, who himself is a veteran of the Korean 
War, Joyce made it one of her final missions in life to create a 
memorial to those who have fought to protect our Nation. It is because 
of her vision, hard work and perseverance that the Regional Veterans 
Memorial now stands in Kennewick's Columbia Park.
  Creating the Regional Veterans Memorial was not an easy process. 
After coming up with the idea, Joyce and Tom had to sell their vision 
to the community, secure a location and raise the funds necessary to 
build it.
  Tragically, Joyce lost her battle with cancer shortly before the 
Regional Veterans Memorial ribbon cutting ceremony, which she had 
organized. I recently had the opportunity to visit the Memorial, and it 
is an impressive and fitting monument to American soldiers--past and 
present. It is a special place for current and future generations to 
reflect on the sacrifices made by those who have served in our Armed 
Forces. This Memorial is truly Joyce McMillin's legacy to the Tri-
Cities. Our community is a better place because of her.
  I would like to conclude by noting how proud I am to live in a 
community that is so committed to our veterans. I commend the McMillin 
family, the Tri-Cities Memorial Committee and everyone who helped make 
the new Regional Veterans Memorial a reality.

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