[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 185 (Thursday, December 10, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2924]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE SERVICE OF HUGH S. BRANYON UPON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 9, 2009

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the exemplary public 
service of Mr. Hugh S. Branyon who is retiring on December 11, 2009, 
after 35 years as superintendent of Gulf State Park on Alabama's Gulf 
Coast.
  A native of Fayette in northwest Alabama, Mr. Branyon first came to 
Baldwin County in 1957 to work at Gulf State Park. His experience along 
the gulf sparked such a love of the outdoors that he devoted not only 
his career, but indeed, his life to the service of Alabama's state 
parks.
  Mr. Branyon's labors have spanned a half century and the length of 
Alabama. After his first job at Gulf State Park, Mr. Branyon traveled 
upstate to Lake Guntersville State Park, where he rose to acting 
manager. Over the ensuing years, he traversed the state, heading back 
for a brief stint at Gulf State Park before being appointed ranger at 
Auburn's Chewacla State Park. In 1967, he was called to the State 
capital to become Chief of Operation in Maintenance to all Alabama 
state parks and fishing lakes. In 1972, Mr. Branyon returned to Baldwin 
County where he eventually became Superintendent of Gulf State Park and 
has since served continuously.
  Mr. Branyon has always preferred to call his job a way of life. It 
was his dedication to the mission of preserving our outdoors that led 
Mr. Branyon to also assume the role of Southwest District 
Superintendent over five other south Alabama parks: Bladon Springs, 
Frank Jackson, Chickasaw, Florala and Meaher.
  He has shepherded Gulf State Park through 13 named tropical storms 
and hurricanes. He oversaw the original construction of Gulf State 
Park's much-used fishing pier in 1967 and its reconstruction, nearly 
doubling its length. Under his supervision, Gulf State Park has 
steadily grown to become one of Alabama's most popular state parks.
  No stranger to volunteer service in his community and across the 
state, he has also been active in many local civic clubs and 
organizations. His selfless service has led to his receipt of the 
highest awards from Rotary and Lions clubs international.
  Mr. Branyon has been more than a park superintendent, but rather a 
friend, to so many of his employees and those who crossed his path over 
the decades in Alabama's parks. His devotion to preserving the 
treasures of Alabama's outdoors will be hard to match. All those who 
have enjoyed the beauty and splendor of our pristine parks owe Hugh 
Branyon a debt of thanks.
  Mr. Branyon and his wife, Carol Wenzel Branyon, have two daughters 
and five grandchildren. Upon retirement, Mr. Branyon plans to devote 
even more time to his beloved outdoors, including fishing with his 
grandchildren.
  I join thousands of Alabamians in wishing Hugh Branyon the best as he 
enters his well-deserved retirement.

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