[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO ALLEN R. HUGHES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 15, 2006

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a distinguished 
American, Allen R. Hughes, who will celebrate his 97th birthday on 
September 24, 2006.
  Allen Hughes was born in Martinsburg, Missouri. His mother Ethel had 
a wonderful sense of humor and he loved her very deeply. His father 
William was a street car operator who purchased a 144 acre farm in 
Fulton, Missouri, which his boys affectionately named ``Hughes' Rock 
Farm'' because it appeared to be the main crop. Allen had three sisters 
and four brothers and the family was of modest means.
  Allen Hughes married Florence Mertz in 1930. They were married for 59 
years until Florence's death and they had one child Richard, born in 
1937.
  Allen Hughes is a 32nd degree Mason and has been a Scottish Rite 
member since 1936, over 69 years. He still goes to Lodge and actively 
participates in the Masonic Order. Mr. Hughes is a registered Democrat 
who has been known to occasionally stray from his party. The first time 
he voted was in the Presidential election of 1932. He cast his vote for 
FDR all four times and has never missed voting in a Presidential or 
off-year election since. Mr. Hughes has the highest regard for 
President Harry S. Truman and a profound respect for the Office of 
President regardless of who occupies it. His son Richard knows this 
first hand and has the scars to prove that if you can't say something 
respectful about the President, you shouldn't say anything at all. A 
true patriot, he takes the privilege of voting very seriously.
  Allen Hughes began his career with the Endicott Johnson Shoe Company 
and worked as a night supervisor for Bi-State Transit in St. Louis, 
Missouri for 28 years. He retired in 1971 and now lives with his second 
wife, Sue Harness, on her farm close to Troy, Missouri.
  Allen Hughes' son Richard speaks eloquently about his father; ``What 
I love about my father is his humor, his work ethic (I think he missed 
less than three weeks of work due to sickness in 46 years), his honesty 
(his word is his bond), his generosity and his willingness to help 
others less fortunate than himself, his patriotism . . . he votes, 
informs himself and loves this country.'' Richard tells me, ``If I 
could go to the `Father Store' and pick any father, I would pick Allen 
R. Hughes.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring a national 
treasure and an exemplary American. As Allen Hughes celebrates his 97th 
birthday, we extend to him our best wishes as well as our gratitude for 
all he's done for our country. He is a true patriot, a loving husband 
and the best father in the world to his great son Richard. Because of 
solid citizens like Allen Hughes, our democracy is strong and our 
country is decent.

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