[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING DR. I.C. TURNLEY, JR., FOR 50 YEARS OF SERVICE TO LaSALLE 
                                 PARISH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 2008

  Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. I.C. Turnley, 
Jr., who for the last 50 years has faithfully served the people of 
Jena, LA, and LaSalle Parish through his medical practice, which he 
first opened on July 1, 1958.
  While enrolled as a pre-med student at Louisiana Tech University in 
Ruston, LA, Dr. Turnley answered the call a great many in his 
generation answered. He put his education on hold and enrolled in the 
U.S. military to serve his country in World War II and was awarded 
commendation for his work at the U.S. Navy Hospital in San Diego. After 
his service, he returned home to Louisiana to complete his undergrad 
studies at Louisiana Tech and later earn his medical degree from 
Louisiana State University in 1956.
  In addition to his private practice in Jena, Dr. Turnley served on 
staff at the Jena Hospital and later the LaSalle General Hospital when 
it was opened in the early 1970s. He also bears a unique distinction in 
the State of Louisiana as the longest serving elected official, having 
served as the parish coroner for the past 48 years.
  Beyond his work as a physician, Dr. Turnley has been active in 
Masonic work in Jena and was elected as Grand Master of the Freemasons 
for the State of Louisiana in 1996.
  The ``Dr. Turnleys of the world'' are the very ones who built up our 
Nation following World War II; they are the ones who are respected and 
admired in their communities, the ones who have dedicated not only 
their talents and abilities but their time and their compassion in an 
effort to help their fellow citizens. Yet, while many small communities 
may boast men and women like Dr. Turnley, to Jena, there is no other 
quite like him.
  To honor him, Murphy McMillin, mayor of Jena, has declared Friday, 
June 20, 2008, as ``Dr. I.C. Turnley, Jr. Day.''
  Madam Speaker, Americans such as Dr. I.C. Turnley, Jr., deserve 
recognition from the United States Congress as well. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in thanking Dr. Turnley for all he has done for 
his community and his country.

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