[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 21, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E604-E605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO MR. LUCIOUS CARROLL RICHARDSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 21, 2007

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. Lucious 
Carroll Richardson, known to his friends as ``Sonny,'' who retired from 
the Alabama Department of Veteran's Affairs on August 31, 2006. He is a 
man who truly embodies the American principles of hard work, 
patriotism, dedication to one's family and service to one's community.
  For the past 30 years, the veterans in Walker County, AL, have had no 
better friend than Sonny Richardson. During that time he unselfishly 
served Walker County and the State of Alabama with great dedication and 
distinction. He worked tirelessly to ensure our veterans and their 
families received the benefits they had earned. His one driving goal 
was simply to help people. As Sonny once said, ``this job is not a 
position, it is a calling. If you are not interested in helping people, 
then you do not need to be in this job''.
  Sonny began his career with the Alabama Department of Veterans 
Affairs in January 1977. At that point there were approximately 6,800 
veterans in Walker County receiving approximately $4,800,000 in 
benefits. Today, more than $19,400,000 in benefits are distributed to 
approximately the same number of veterans. It was also on his watch 
that a new Veterans Clinic was opened at Walker Baptist Medical Center 
in Jasper. In 1987, he rose to the rank of district manager and 
upon his retirement was supervising two different districts covering 21 
counties in north Alabama.

  One of Sonny's better known accomplishments was his role in Walker 
County's annual Veterans Day parade. For 21 years he was the organizer 
of the parade. Due to his leadership the event grew to become the 
second largest Veterans Day parade in the State of Alabama. He turned 
over the reins as organizer 5 years ago to concentrate more on serving 
the needs of the veterans in Walker County. However, the Walker County 
Veterans Day parade continues as an annual tradition.
  Sonny is a veteran of the United States Army and retired with 20 
years of service.

[[Page E605]]

During his military career he earned two Bronze Stars, one Meritorious 
Service Medal and four Army Commendation Medals and served in Korea, 
Germany and Vietnam. Upon retiring from the Army, Sonny went back to 
school and received his bachelor of science degree in criminal justice 
from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
  He is the recipient of numerous awards for his service to the 
veterans and the community. In 1988 he was selected for the Fourth 
Congressional District Distinguished Citizen Award and was the Walker 
County State Employee of the Year for 1983, 1984 and 1985. He was also 
twice selected by the American Legion as the Veterans Service Officer 
of the Year.
  Madam Speaker, it is a great privilege for me to honor Lucious 
Carroll Richardson for his many years of dedicated service to our 
Nation's veterans. He has had an enduring impact on his country, 
community, friends and family. He is a man of great dignity and 
character who takes pride in the accomplishments of those he has helped 
over the years. It is clear that he has been a friend and advocate to 
the veterans of Walker County and the entire surrounding area. Madam 
Speaker, no doubt Sonny will be greatly missed in his position with the 
Department of Veterans Affairs. However, I know that Sonny will still 
remain a friend to those who have served their country. Sonny is an 
inspiring role model for all of us and I join his friends, family and 
colleagues in wishing him God's richest blessings in his retirement.

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