[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 139 (Wednesday, September 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1930]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN MEMORY OF MELVIN SCHEXNAYDER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 19, 2007

  Mr. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of my dear 
friend Melvin Schexnayder of Dumas, AR, who passed away September 12, 
2007, at the age of 87.
  Melvin Schexnayder spent his lifetime dedicated to his family, his 
community and the newspaper business. After returning from World War II 
and completing a degree in chemical engineering, he went to work for 
Texas Pacific Railroad. However, the job forced him to travel 
frequently, which kept him away from his wife. For the sake of spending 
more time together, the two decided to try their hand in the newspaper 
business. His wife Charlotte, a journalism major, served as the editor 
and Melvin served as the advertising manager. What they thought would 
be a 1-year experiment working at the McGehee Semi-Weekly Times, 
uncovered a passion for reporting news that turned into a lifelong 
career path for both of them. After working at the Times, they bought 
their own newspaper, the Dumas Clarion, near Charlotte's hometown of 
Tillar. With the Schexnayders working as a team, the Dumas Clarion won 
over 500 State and national awards for its excellence in journalism.
  If owning and publishing a weekly newspaper was not a big enough 
task, Melvin devoted his life selflessly to serve others for the sake 
of making Dumas and Desha County a better place to live and raise a 
family. He was an active participant in the community where he served 
as president of the Dumas Chamber of Commerce and the Dumas Lion's 
Club, and just this year, he was awarded the esteemed Lion's Club 
Citizenship Award. He held the post of chairman of the Desha County 
Hospital Board and served as chairman of the Chicot-Desha Boy Scout 
District. He also worked in numerous roles with the Red Cross and March 
of Dimes over the years.
  In addition to his civic leadership, Schexnayder was also a man of 
devout faith. He was a member of Holy Child Catholic Church where he 
served as a lay reader and building committee member.
  I give my deepest condolences to his wife, Charlotte; his two sons, 
M. John Schexnayder, Jr. and Dr. Stephen Schexnayder; his daughter 
Sarah Steen; and to his numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 
Melvin Schexnayder will be greatly missed in Dumas, Desha County and 
throughout the State of Arkansas, and I am truly saddened by this loss.

                          ____________________