[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 156 (Monday, October 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO RAY CHANDLER

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                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 26, 2009

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ray 
Chandler, Attorney, an outstanding South Carolinian and a constituent 
of mine. Attorney Chandler was recently awarded the Order of the 
Palmetto, South Carolina's highest civilian honor.
  Mr. Chandler is a native of Darlington, South Carolina. He graduated 
from The Citadel in 1968, and earned a law degree from the University 
of South Carolina in 1971. He is married to the former Sandra Heise of 
Sumter, South Carolina.
  After earning his degrees, Mr. Chandler sought to serve his country 
and was commissioned a Captain in the United States Army's Judge 
Advocate Generals' Corps. During his tour of duty, Captain Chandler 
served as a prosecutor at the United States Army Disciplinary Barrack 
at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He later served for two years as a 
prosecutor and defense lawyer in the Federal Republic of Germany. He 
completed his military tour in Heidelberg serving as the Deputy Chief 
of Criminal Law for the Seventh Army, which included all of Europe and 
Turkey.
  After four years of active duty, Mr. Chandler left the Army and 
became an associate in the Ralph Cothran Law Firm in Manning, South 
Carolina. In 1979, he formed the Law Firm of Coffey, Chandler & Kent, 
P.A. Today he serves as the firm's Managing Partner, and handles 
criminal defense and wrongful death civil litigation.
  Mr. Chandler has served as General Counsel for the South Carolina 
Firefighters Association for the last 32 years. It was this service 
that captured the attention of South Carolina's Governor and prompted 
the Governor to award him the Order of the Palmetto. Mr. Chandler was 
honored for his work as co-author of South Carolina's present arson 
laws, and for his dedication to South Carolina's firefighters. He was 
surprised with the award during a recent dinner with members of the 
South Carolina Firefighters Association in Myrtle Beach.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Ray Chandler for his work on behalf of this country and 
his fellow man. He has demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to the 
firefighters of South Carolina, as their Counsel and one of their 
strongest advocates. Our nation and my home state are better for his 
service and leadership.

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