[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 46 (Friday, April 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ARTHUR GAGNON TRIBUTE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SCOTT R. TIPTON

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 1, 2011

  Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker it is a wonderful privilege to stand and pay 
tribute to celebrate the extraordinary life of Mr. Arthur Gagnon. 
Sadly, he passed away on March 24th, 2011, and his loss will be felt by 
all who knew this inspirational person. Mr. Gagnon was a man that had 
many passions, and had a lifetime of wonderful achievements on a 
professional and personal level. Above all else he was a man that was 
truly devoted to his family, faith and country.
  Mr. Arthur Gagnon was born and raised in Albany, New York, and he 
lived there until he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950. 
Mr. Gagnon enjoyed a successful career in the Air Force that lasted two 
decades, and took him to all corners of the globe. He retired as a 
Senior Master Sergeant and always claimed to love the work he did and 
the people he met along the way. After twenty years of moving around 
the country Mr. Gagnon and his family moved to Colorado Springs, 
Colorado, which allowed him to continue civilian work with the Air 
Force at the Air Force Academy Visitor Center. Mr. Gagnon was also 
endlessly committed to doing all he could to assist his fellow 
veterans, and he did so as a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 
the Retired Enlisted Association and Disabled American Veterans. Mr. 
Arthur Gagnon was a man that had a true sense of the meaning of 
service.
  For all of his deeds in his service to America, Mr. Arthur Gagnon was 
even more committed to his family. He married his wife Delores in 1953 
and they enjoyed a 58 year marriage. Mr. Gagnon also had three 
children, and was a grandfather and great-grandfather. Many in the 
Gagnon family looked to the lessons they learned from their father and 
grandfather as an example of how they should live there own life. His 
son James Gagnon served as an officer in the Air Force, and one of his 
grandsons, Joseph Gagnon is currently a first lieutenant in the Air 
Force. His grandson, David Sprenger, believes that his success working 
in the U.S. Congress can be directly attributed to the ideals he 
learned from his grandfather. Mr. Gagnon clearly touched the lives of 
others in many ways.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been an honor to stand and pay tribute to the 
life and accomplishments of Mr. Arthur Gagnon. He was a man that 
tirelessly tried to bring fulfillment into the lives of those around 
him, and he will be dearly missed.

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