[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 82 (Monday, May 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E963]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF DUNCAN REED, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 19, 2008

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of Duncan Reed, Jr., a 
good friend whose love of life, people, and community was reflected in 
the multitudes who considered him family. He was a man of action that 
only ended when he passed away last week at age 69.
  Duncan was a U.S. Army veteran who tested weapons at the U.S. Arctic 
Test Center in Fort Greely, Alaska, to make sure they would work in 
extremely cold conditions. After the Army, he returned to southern 
California, where he tested nuclear fuel reactors for Rocketdyne.
  For the next 30 years, he worked for Thrifty Drug Stores, which was 
later acquired by Big 5 Sporting Goods. After he ``retired,'' he spent 
the next 13 years as the local ``Seed Man,'' replenishing vegetable and 
flower seeds at retail outlets for the Northrop King Company
  But it was his activities outside of work that defined him to the 
community. A Boy Scout who was inducted into the ``Order of the Arrow'' 
during his youth, Duncan took that commitment to God and country to 
heart and served as Cubmaster for Ventura County Troop 3660 as an 
adult. He was also active in the March of Dimes and Muscular Dystrophy 
charity drives, and volunteered for the Flying Samaritans, a group of 
doctors, pilots, and civilians who flew to Mexico to give aid to those 
less fortunate.
  Politics were also a huge passion, and the avenue by which we became 
friends. His television was almost always tuned to the Fox News 
Channel.
  Even Duncan's avenues of relaxation involved action. His hobbies 
included growing cactus and other succulents and entering them into 
competition at the Ventura County Fair. He also enjoyed hiking in the 
mountains, fishing, and camping. His love of cooking was reflected in 
his involvement with Dark Chocolate, a gourmet food club, entertaining 
while cooking on his barbecue, and being a restaurant critic for the 
local newspaper. In addition, Duncan loved helping his children, 
grandchildren, and any other child who entered his orbit.
  The few times he slowed down was to relax by a campfire or to set on 
a river bank where, as Duncan would tell people, he liked to watch it 
go from left to right.
  Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me offering our 
condolences to Duncan's wife of 44 years, Nighla; his children, Kelly, 
Robert, and Douglas; grandchildren, Lindsey, Matthew, Coral, and Devon; 
godchildren, Travis, Jacob, Brent, Tom, and Christina; and all who knew 
him and called him a friend.
  Godspeed, Duncan.

                          ____________________