[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 57 (Monday, April 20, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4436-S4437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JERRILYN DYER

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
dedicated philanthropist from my home State of Kentucky, Jerrilyn Dyer. 
Mrs. Dyer is well known in her community for her bright smile and 
comforting personality.
  Mrs. Dyer has contributed countless hours to Kentucky through her 
volunteer work, including helping at the Pattie A. Clay Hospital Gift 
Shop and with the Home Meals Delivery service, helping to better the 
lives of so many over the years. In addition to her work in Kentucky, 
she was also well known for her volunteer work in Indiana particularly 
in Madison County.
  Along with all her volunteer work, Jerrilyn is a dedicated wife, 
mother, and grandmother and finds time to travel with her husband of 49 
years, Jack, and enjoys spending time with her two children and four 
grandchildren.
  Recently, the Richmond Register in Richmond, Kentucky, published an 
article detailing Mrs. Dyer's service and accomplishments. I ask 
unanimous consent that the full article be printed in the Congressional 
Record.
  Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Jerrilyn 
Dyer and her service to the Commonwealth.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

              [From the Richmond Register, Mar. 28, 2009]

               Jerrilyn Dyer: A Non-Stop Volunteer Force

                          (By Ronica Shannon)

       Jerrilyn Dyer, 67, and her husband Jack moved to Madison 
     County from central Indiana in 1967 when Jack accepted a 
     teaching position at the Eastern Kentucky University.
       She has been an active part of the community in several 
     areas ever since. Jack began his doctoral studies and the 
     couple moved to Lexington in 1969, only to return to Richmond 
     in the fall of 1989.
       The two graduated from high school in Spencer, Ind. 
     Jerrilyn graduated from Kentucky Christian College with a 
     teaching degree in 1989.
       She refers to herself as `a late bloomer.' Jerrilyn is 
     involved with several volunteer organizations in the 
     community including Home Meals Delivery, which delivers 
     midday meals to homebound residents and hosts the annual 
     ``Empty Bowls Friday.''
       She also is a member of the Madison County Republican 
     Women's Club, which is affiliated with the National 
     Federation of Republican Women. The organization supports the 
     Republican Party and Republican candidates.
       ``I have served in many capacities for the party and worked 
     as a poll officer,'' she said. ``I feel strongly about voting 
     and each citizen's duty to do so. It's not only a 
     responsibility, but a privilege to participate in our 
     government. There's great satisfaction in helping make our 
     community environment a better place in which to live.
       ``We need to continually support competent people in our 
     community leadership,'' she said.
       No matter the circumstances, Jerrilyn always seems to have 
     a smile on her face and laughter in her voice. How does she 
     do it? Simple. She thrives at what she does.
       ``I love volunteering time and effort to several causes,'' 
     she said. ``It always blesses me more than what I give. Home 
     Meals Delivery, for instance, is a program started in 1980 
     when there was a need. It's not the federally funded program 
     started by the government, but is a locally endowed program 
     relying on volunteers. I have been involved with it for about 
     15 years since I first heard of it at a club meeting. I am 
     currently serving on the board.''
       Jerrilyn also is a volunteer at the Pattie A. Clay Hospital 
     Gift Shop and has seen the expansion of the shop over the 
     years.
       ``It's a lot of fun selling gift items and talking with all 
     the customers who many times just need a friendly listener,'' 
     she said.
       Proceeds from the shop benefit the hospital needs.
       ``Just recently we were able to donate several thousand 
     dollars for the new East Wing Project,'' she said. ``I've 
     been a member of the Richmond Woman's Club for several years 
     and have participated with the ladies on several community 
     projects including Habitat for Humanity, New Opportunity 
     School for Women, The Salvation Army and (local) veterans 
     (organizations).''
       Aside from volunteering, Jerrilyn also has worked as a 
     secretary for several businesses and organizations, 
     including: Westinghouse in Bloomington, Ind.; Indiana State 
     University and 8th Avenue Baptist Church and at Christian 
     Student Fellowship on the University of Kentucky Campus.
       ``I've also done substitute teaching and been a teacher's 
     aide, and a merchandiser for Gibson Greetings,'' she said.
       Jerrilyn and her husband will celebrate 49 years of 
     marriage this year. The two have a son who is a high school 
     basketball coach (honored as coach of the year in his 
     conference this year) and he teaches in Bristol, Tenn. Their 
     daughter has taught special education for years and is a 
     teacher consultant for six counties, including Shelby County, 
     where she is a resident.
       ``We have four adorable grandchildren--two girls and two 
     boys,'' she said ``It is truly great being grandparents.''
       She and her husband enjoy traveling and have made it all 
     over the United States.
       Throughout the years, she and her husband have visited all 
     50 states, all the presidential libraries, all 30 Major 
     League Baseball parks and all the Kentucky state resort 
     parks.
       They also spend a lot of time shopping for their 
     grandchildren and playing cards with friends, she said.

[[Page S4437]]

       The church also plays a large role in the Dyers' life.
       She and her husband have been active members of Gardenside 
     Christian Church in Lexington, where their children grew up.
       ``Over the years we've been Sunday School teachers, youth 
     sponsors, Bible School leaders, etc.'' Jerrilyn said. 
     ``Currently, we're on the Missions and Benevolence Committees 
     and members of a Sunday School Class. I've served in a 
     Women's Circle and Jack is on the board as an elder and 
     deacon.''
       So why is volunteering in her community so important to 
     Jerrilyn? ``There is much to be said for volunteering in a 
     community,'' she said. ``It can promote so much good will 
     among the citizens and can give a special spirit of unity and 
     pride. Volunteers can get so many projects done that 
     otherwise wouldn't be possible using only its paid staff. 
     And, of course, the volunteer probably gets back more than he 
     or she gives.''

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