[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 144 (Thursday, September 11, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOHN GRUNDEN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LYNN A. WESTMORELAND

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 11, 2008

  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
great patriot from Georgia's Third Congressional District who died 
September 9 at the age of 66.
  I have known John Grunden of Fayetteville for many years as a fellow 
foot soldier fighting for the Republican Party and conservative causes 
in our community, our State and our Nation.
  As the owner of two small businesses, an insurance consulting firm 
and the Classic Cue pool hall in Fayetteville, Mr. Grunden had first-
hand knowledge of how taxes and regulation affect our Nation's job 
creators. His strong stands on business and his conservative values 
made him a great leader for the Fayette County Republican Party when he 
won the chairmanship in the 1980s. Under his leadership, the county 
party experienced such success that the State Republican Party soon 
began citing it as a model for other counties.
  Mr. Grunden was a behind-the-scenes operator who did the hard work 
that enable candidates such as me to succeed at the ballot box. I'm 
lucky to have had his support through the years, and I am not the only 
Member of Congress who called on him for help. Mr. Grunden was an early 
supporter of a young upstart congressman from Georgia who at the time 
was the only Republican in our State's delegation. As my colleagues 
here in the House know, that member, Newt Gingrich, went on to lead our 
party to the House majority for the first time in decades and ascended 
to the speaker's chair.
  In addition to his volunteer activities on behalf of his party, Mr. 
Grunden also wore his nation's uniform. From 1961 to 1964, he served in 
the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division.
  I was honored to call John Grunden a friend. On behalf of the people 
of Georgia's Third Congressional District, I would like to express my 
condolences to his wife, Pat, who stood by his side for 45 years, and 
to the rest of the Grunden family.

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