[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 28 (Monday, February 28, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING WILLIAM THEODORE ``BILL'' KIRBY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 28, 2011

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor the 
life and legacy of William Theodore ``Bill'' Kirby.
  Off of Triangle Road in Mariposa County, CA, is Kirby Peak. The peak 
is named in honor of Bill's 1933 volunteer effort to save this land 
from a forest fire. As the firemen worked to contain the fire, their 
resupply line was stretched due to the tough terrain. Bill, a teenager 
at the time, volunteered to work with others in the pack crew. He led a 
mule train to the fire with much needed supplies for the firemen and 
assisted in the firefight.
  Like many in his generation, Bill came when called to serve the war 
effort. He spent World War II aboard the SS Marcus Daly--a merchant 
marine ship. The Daly was not only one of the first ships into the 
Philippines, but also received the Merchant Marine Gallant Ship 
Citation Ribbon. Bill himself received a personal citation for his 
bravery after the Daly was attacked.
  Following the war Bill returned to Merced and founded, along with his 
father and brother, Kirby Manufacturing, a maker of farm machinery and 
equipment. Kirby Manufacturing has expanded into a global producer and 
was the first American manufacturer to sell farm equipment to China 
following normalization. Kirby equipment is also used to load and 
maintain Air Force One.
  Even while running a multinational manufacturer, Bill found a way to 
be a pillar of our community. He was a Scoutmaster, an Elk, and a 
Mason. He served as President of the Merced County Chamber of Commerce, 
the Merced County Fair Board, and the Merced County Historical Society. 
As a testament to his influence, every year people around the community 
participate in ``The Bill Kirby Annual Historical Society BBQ.''
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Bill Kirby and his many 
contributions to California and the Nation. May we keep him and those 
he left behind in our hearts and prayers.

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