[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 30 (Friday, February 13, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING LAYTON ROY FAIRCHILD, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 13, 2009

  Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Layton Roy 
Fairchild, Sr., of Spotsylvania, Virginia on his achievements and 
contributions to his community. Mr. Fairchild was born March 22, 1927 
to the late master carpenter Alfred Linwood Fairchild and homemaker 
Rose Anna Lewis Fairchild. He is part of the second generation of 
Fairchilds born in Spotsylvania. His father, Alfred Linwood Fairchild, 
was the second individual and first generation Fairchild born in 
Spotsylvania, and the first to remain in the county, start a family and 
a very successful carpentry business.
  Mr. Fairchild is a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. While on duty 
in Japan, he was the captain of the baseball team that traveled the 
country playing against native teams in an effort to develop goodwill 
after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
  Mr. Fairchild worked for 33 years at FMC, the largest industry 
employer in Fredericksburg, Virginia. For the first 15 years, he was a 
machine operator. He was promoted in 1957 to control lacquer operator-
inspector. During his more than 30 years at the FMC plant, he worked 
all three shifts. After his shift, regardless of which shift it was, he 
would come home and farm. Many days his wife brought his meals out to 
the field for him to eat while he was on his tractor.
  He started his own business, Fairchild Trucking Inc. in 1975. For 
more than 30 years, he provided employment and benefits for county 
citizens. Showing appreciation for his two longest working employees, 
he recently purchased two 24-ton trucks for each to use to earn a 
living on their own.
  Mr. Fairchild was the first mortgage lender to numerous individuals 
and families who were unable to receive traditional financing, allowing 
them to purchase and maintain a home of their own. His belief was that 
honest people with limited opportunities could indeed thrive if they 
had help.
  He is very active in his local church, Sylvannah Baptist Church, in 
Spotsylvania. One example of his philanthropy is the brick enclosure of 
the church's cemetery. It was designed, constructed and donated in 
honor of his parents.
  Mr. Fairchild married the former Bertha Pratt in 1945 and together 
they had four daughters and one son. Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild are also 
the foster parents of three boys they raised and provided for as their 
own.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me and countless others as we 
recognize the many contributions of Layton Roy Fairchild, Sr.

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