[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 114 (Friday, July 30, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING N. PATRICK RANGE, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 30, 2010

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize and 
congratulate Mr. N. Patrick Range, Sr., a friend as well as a 
constituent in my Congressional district and recipient of this year's 
Robert H. Miller Professional of the Year Award. He will be honored by 
the National Funeral Directors and Mortician's Association during its 
2010 convention in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Mr. Range is the third 
Floridian nominated for the award, named after Mr. Miller, the first 
NFDMA executive director. It is because of his outstanding service and 
commitment that he undoubtedly deserves this great honor for his many 
years of devotion to the South Florida community.
  ``He's had a significant role in supporting colleagues and in serving 
the community in a comparable manner,'' said Henry Postell, president 
of the Florida Mortician Association. ``Professionalism is there 
regardless of the families' financial situation.''
  Mr. Range is the current owner of Range Funeral Homes of Greater 
Miami, founded in 1953. He has been in the funeral industry as a 
licensed funeral director and embalmer for over 50 years. He obtained 
his license in 1965 after matriculating at the New England Institute of 
Anatomy following the death of his father and founder of Range Funeral 
Homes, Oscar L. Range, Sr., in 1960.
  After obtaining his license, Mr. Range returned to Miami to partner 
with ``my mentor, my guide, my inspiration, my mom,'' M. Athalie Range, 
in a relationship that would last 45 years in the family-owned funeral 
home. After his mother's death in 2006, Mr. Range continued his 
parents' legacy as the principal of Range Funeral Homes.
  A member of the Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity, Mr. Range also 
serves on the advisory board of the Miami-Dade College Department of 
Funeral Service Education. An active member in a host of other 
professional organizations, Mr. Range was most recently recognized by 
his peers as the ``Mortician of the Year'' in 2006 by both the First 
Regional District of Florida and the State of Florida Mortician's 
Association. He has done an abundant of fundraising work for mortuary 
science scholarships and career-related organizations, such as 100 
Black Women in Funeral Service.
  Madam Speaker, Mr. N. Patrick Range, Sr. is an inspiration not only 
to the South Florida community, but to the nation at large. Morticians 
provide a service like no other. The care and dedication you provide 
our loved ones before their homegoing services stay in our hearts and 
minds forever. Please join me in applauding the achievements of Mr. 
Range.

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