[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 51 (Friday, March 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO DIXIE LOUCKS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 23, 2007

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Speaker, I rise tody to honor Dixie Loucks of 
Fort Collins, CO. She has led a life of service to her family, 
community and country.
  Dixie was the third of nine children born to Charles and Netha 
McFarlane. She was raised on the family farm in Chugwater, WY, where 
she learned the value of family and hard work.
  Dixie's family moved to Cedaredge, CO, when she was sixteen. It was 
there Dixie met the love of her life, her husband Jack Loucks. He was 
the boy next door and they married on February 22, 1948.
  Jack joined the Air Force in 1949 and left for Korea in 1951 as an F-
80 fighter/bomber pilot. He flew 101 missions. During this time Mrs. 
Loucks continued to live on the family farm and raised their daughter, 
Cristine. She provided support to her husband by sending him letters 
and pictures of their new daughter. These letters were a constant 
inspiration for Jack.
  Throughout Jack's military career, Mrs. Loucks served her family and 
community. She began her community service at McGuire Air Force Base in 
New Jersey at the local hospital, coordinating Red Cross blood drives. 
As their daughters Cristine and Erylene began school, Mrs. Loucks was a 
tireless volunteer at their school and with Girl Scouts and Campfire 
Girls. When the family as stationed in Tripoli, Mrs. Loucks made 
dresses for the local girls from flour sacks provided through the U.S. 
Agency for International Development.
  After Jack's retirement the family moved to Fort Collins. Mrs. Loucks 
worked in the Public Trustee's office and served on the U.S. military 
academy selection committees. Additionally, she served as a volunteer 
at the family's church, Harbor Hope First Free Methodist Church. She 
has served as a Sunday School teacher, a nursery leader and as a member 
of the leadership council.
  For the last 2 years Mrs. Loucks has been a member of the `Knit and 
Knot' group who make fleece blankets, hats and layettes for babies of 
mothers in the Alpha Center for Women.
  Madam Speaker, our country is certainly better because of Mrs. 
Loucks' commitment to her family and the years of volunteer service 
within the military, her community and her church. Hers is a life well 
lived and a pattern for others to follow. I urge my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing Dixie Loucks.

                          ____________________