[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 120 (Thursday, September 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1925-E1926]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         RECOGNIZING JOHN STACY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LYNN A. WESTMORELAND

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2005

  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments of a great American, John Stacy. It is my privilege to 
bring before the House of Representatives the occasion of his 60th 
birthday.
  John Stacy was born on October 5, 1945 in Coleman, KY to his proud 
parents, John and Bertha Stacy. After he completed his education, he 
began serving his country, entering the United States Marine Corps in 
June of 1965. After completing the rigors of boot camp, he went on to 
serve in a number of capacities, including the area of Motor Pool 
Transport, as a colonel's personal driver, then as a career planner and 
a member of the Hostage Negotiations Team. Eventually he became an 
instructor for the Officer Advanced Course for Military Police.
  He also served overseas on a number of occasions between 1966 and 
1981, including a tour in Vietnam, two tours of duty in Okinawa, and 
time at Subic Bay in the Philippines.
  During this time, John was continuing to rise through the ranks, 
achieving the rank of gunnery sergeant. But others saw the distinction 
he brought to his duties, and he was recognized as the Marine Corps 
Outstanding Military Citizen for Georgia in 1984.
  In 1985, John retired from the Marines at his gunnery sergeant rank 
after 20 years of service to our Nation and to our freedoms.

[[Page E1926]]

That alone would seem to be enough to make a life worthwhile. But as 
those of us who have friends who are Marines know, a Marine never truly 
retires.
  And John didn't retire either--he had begun working with the Boy 
Scouts of America before finishing his time with the Marine Corps, and 
his ``retirement'' from the Marines only meant he had more time to 
invest in the lives of others. He served with the Boy Scouts for a 
total of 10 years, working as a camp ranger and the program director of 
Camp Osborn. During that time, he had an active role in molding the 
lives of young men through the Boy Scouts, and led them by his example 
of service as he helped turn those boys into men.
  But John wasn't finished yet. His experience in police duties and law 
enforcement led to the request that he serve as executive director of 
the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, GACP, the largest 
professional association for law enforcement administrators in the 
State of Georgia. In that role, he took an active part in ensuring law 
enforcement was effectively represented at the State Capitol, and that 
the more than 1,000 executives representing agencies from across the 
State had their voices heard. The position with the GACP also moved 
John and his family to Columbus, GA.
  Soon John received another call to service, and saw his influence 
grow wider. Senator Paul Coverdell needed regional representatives as 
he sought to put his staff together to effectively serve constituents 
from across the State after his election in 1992. John served 
effectively in that position, representing the Senator, and serving 
people in need from around the area.
  Tragically, however, Senator Coverdell passed away while in office 
after a stroke, and Zell Miller, a former Governor of Georgia, was 
appointed to fill the great void left by the death of Senator 
Coverdell.
  After the transition was complete, Senator Miller asked John to stay 
on his staff, and he continued to serve as regional director, and 
eventually assisted in the opening of an office in Young Harris, the 
Senator's hometown.
  John continued to serve with Senator Miller until the Senator's 
retirement at the conclusion of his term in January of this year. And, 
as my term in the U.S. Congress began, John came on to my staff as my 
district director. He has served with distinction already, and his 
knowledge of the people of the Eighth District has been invaluable.
  But if you set aside all the things a person has done, you can always 
learn a lot about a man by his family. And John meets that test as 
well. During all of his service to our Nation and the great State of 
Georgia, John has been married to a truly wonderful lady, his wife 
Elaine. They have just celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary. And 
John is the father of two children, Graham and Janet, who continue to 
carry on their father's vision of service to others.
  And this great man, and great American, who has achieved so much, is 
now celebrating his 60th birthday.
  Mr. Speaker, I lay before you the life and achievements, so far, of a 
great American, and hope all the House will join me in wishing him the 
best birthday wishes as he continues to serve all of us in this 
country.

                          ____________________