[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 136 (Wednesday, September 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MR. MELVIN E. PIERCE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 14, 2011

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of 
a truly wonderful man, Mr. Melvin E. Pierce, a longtime resident of 
Semmes, Alabama, who passed away August 19, 2011, at the age of 73.
  Mr. Pierce was a husband, father, friend, an entrepreneur and 
community leader. He wore many hats over his professional career, and 
is perhaps best known for his successful painting business. He began a 
career in painting as an apprentice and used his knowledge to later 
found and develop the Melvin Pierce Painting Company. He subsequently 
established Melvin Pierce Marine Coatings, Melvin Pierce Sandblasting, 
Highway Maintenance, Inc., and Dothan, Inc. of Semmes.
  His community involvement ranged from president and founding member 
of ``Friends of Semmes,'' which pioneered the incorporation of Semmes, 
to recipient of the 2005 Woodman of the World Outstanding Citizen 
Award. He was one of the founding members of the Dixie Youth Baseball 
Program in Semmes. And, in 2003, he was honored with the Award of 
Gratitude from the Semmes Community Park.
  Professionally, he was an active member of the Associated General 
Contractors (AGC) and the Associated Builders & Contractors. He was a 
board member of the Mobile Water and Sewer Board, the Abba Shrine 
Temple, Trade Builder's Association and Woodman of the World. His 
considerable involvement with contracting gave him the opportunity to 
play a major role in numerous construction and renovation projects like 
the Mobile Convention Center and Mobile Government Plaza, the 
restoration of the historic Alabama Capitol in Montgomery, and the Beau 
Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.
  Melvin Pierce was the epitome of a community-minded businessman and 
volunteer and his involvement in so many different aspects of South 
Alabama will be hard to replace. In addition to possessing a charitable 
heart and an unequalled love of community, he helped found the 
Christmas parade, Azalea Festival, Easter Egg Hunt and a food pantry in 
Semmes.
  On behalf of the people of South Alabama, I would like to extend my 
deepest condolences to his wife of 50 years, Evelyn, as well as his 
surviving children, George, David, Deborah, Jay, Regina and Rebecca, as 
well as his grandchildren, and his family and friends. You are all in 
our thoughts and prayers.

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