[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 21 (Thursday, February 10, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF JUNE WHEELER PEACH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 2011

  Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
achievements of Mrs. June Wheeler Peach, who passed away at her home on 
January 31 at the age of 72.
  Mrs. Peach was a renowned community activist and passionate 
humanitarian who dedicated her time to countless organizations and 
charities. For much of her adult life, Mrs. Peach was active in the 
operation and financing of nursing homes as well as devoting her energy 
to care for the elderly. For the past 34 years, she served on the Board 
of the Louisiana Nursing Home Association--working on almost every 
committee and in every role possible. At the time of her passing, she 
served on the Executive Committee and as Secretary of the LNHA, a 
position she held for the last 32 years.
  In addition, Mrs. Peach was involved in other community outreach 
efforts including: the Governor's Commission on HIV/Aids, the 
Department of Health and Hospitals Advisory Committee on Medicaid, 
Alexandria Town Talk Advisory Board, Vo-Technical College, Salvation 
Army, Little Theatre's Sheltered Workshop, Food Bank of CenLa, Central 
Louisiana Coalition to Prevent Homelessness, Retired Senior Volunteer 
Program, Cabrini Foundation, Rapides Primary Health Care, Region 6 
Health Care Consortium, Central Louisiana Health Care Ethics Coalition, 
Regional Special Olympics, Central Louisiana Community Foundation, 
YWCA, Alzheimer's Association and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of 
Canterbury House.
  Mrs. Peach was also heavily affiliated with Friendship House, a 
nonprofit day-care facility for adults who can no longer care for 
themselves, as well as an active member of her beloved place of 
worship, Horseshoe Drive United Methodist Church.
  For her unyielding efforts to help others, Mrs. Peach earned 
countless professional and civic awards, and even had the mayor declare 
October 10, 2008 ``June Peach Day.''
  Beyond her humanitarian and professional contributions, Mrs. Peach 
was a caring wife, mother and grandmother. She was preceded in death by 
her husband, John Hill Peach III; parents, Henry Paul and Myrtle 
Wurster Wheeler; brothers, Jack Glen Wheeler, Harvey March Wheeler and 
Henry Paul Wheeler; and sister, Alice Wheeler Newkirk. She leaves 
behind her sons, John Henry Peach and Tom Glen Peach and wife, 
Jennifer; daughters, Tammy Peach Lee and husband, John; and Cindy Peach 
Branham; brother, Johnny Wurster Wheeler; sister, Ruby Wheeler Noe; 
granddaughters, Lainey Peach Branham, Tamera Nicole Branham and Abbey 
Peach.
  To say that Mrs. Peach left her fingerprint on the world is an 
understatement. She was a friend to many, and deemed a gracious and 
compassionate person by all who had the good blessing to know her.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the 
late Mrs. June Wheeler Peach. Her altruistic nature and selfless 
dedication warrant this laudable recognition.

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