[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 172 (Thursday, November 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MR. AUSTIN LAYNE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2009

  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Austin Layne, a 
trail-blazing entrepreneur and valued member of the St. Louis 
community. For over 30 years Mr. Layne has served the residents of St. 
Louis with an admirable sense of compassion during their most difficult 
times.
  Upon graduating from Vashon High School, Layne entered the U.S. Army 
where he studied to become a computer specialist. Layne was motivated 
to pursue a career as a funeral director after a family friend, Gilbert 
Wade Granberry, offered him a position working at his mortuary. This 
rewarding experience inspired him to earn his associate's degree in 
applied science from the School of Mortuary Science at Forest Park 
Community College.
  Mr. Layne opened his first business in 1979, the Austin A. Layne 
Mortuary. He has since opened the Layne Renaissance Chapel and most 
recently, the Austin Layne Normandy Chapel. Mr. Layne independently 
owns and operates all of his businesses.
  Mr. Layne is committed to providing people with the highest quality 
care possible and has remained dedicated to being available to his 
clients, both physically and emotionally during their times of grief. 
He is acutely aware that every family has different needs and strives 
to accommodate each family that he serves.
  Throughout his career, Mr. Layne has been a supportive and gentle 
person, determined to do more for families than simply conduct a 
funeral. What makes Mr. Layne so extraordinary is his ability to 
empathize with each family. He puts himself in their position and works 
to ensure that arranging funerals for their loved ones goes smoothly as 
possible.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Mr. Layne; a man who 
has made a difference in each life that he has touched. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Austin Layne.

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