[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 22 (Thursday, February 9, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E169-E170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LIFE OF LT. COLONEL JOHN JOSEPH MURRAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 9, 2012

  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Lieutenant 
Colonel John Joseph Murray, an American patriot, community leader, 
devoted father and grandfather, and a dear friend of mine for many 
years, who passed away on January 30, 2012 at the age of 90.
  John was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 6, 1922 to Joseph 
Murray and Madeline Cassidy. After graduating from high school in 1939, 
he began his military career in 1942--a career that would span nearly a 
quarter of a century. John served as an officer in the United States 
Air Force before retiring in 1968 as a Lieutenant Colonel and Combat 
Rated Pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours. His military career 
earned him the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters and numerous other 
military service medals. He was a gifted pilot, qualifying in 20 
different aircraft, and was a dedicated lifetime member of the Air 
Force Association.
  John also recognized the value of higher education, and in 1957 he 
received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from St. Joseph's 
College in Philadelphia, PA, where he served as an ROTC teacher. That 
same year, he graduated from the United States Air Force Command and 
Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. John continued his 
education by earning his Master's of Business Administration at the 
University of Dallas in 1977 at the age of 55.
  Service was part of John's character, so it came as no surprise that 
he took the initiative to mentor many young adults in their educational 
pursuits. John created a scholarship fund through his local Air Force 
Association chapter for college students struggling financially. He 
took an active role in encouraging these students and shared in their 
joy as they reached their goal of graduation.
  Upon his retirement from the Air Force, John and his family moved to 
Greenville, Texas where he began a second distinguished career in the 
aerospace industry, serving thirty-one years and retiring in 1998 at 
the age of 76. For nineteen of those years, he was appointed to serve 
as Chairman of the Employees' Political Action Committee. As Chairman, 
John hosted informative political forums in Greenville, inviting many 
special guests over the years including then Governor Bill Clements; 
then Governor and former President George W. Bush; former U.S. Senators 
Lloyd Bentsen, Phil Gramm, John Tower, as well as our current U.S. 
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. I was also honored as his Congressman to 
attend several of John's forums.
  John was a highly respected man known for his intelligence, honesty, 
and integrity, both in his own community and in Washington. Everyone 
who knew John was struck by his innate optimism, his positive attitude, 
and his genuine kindness. John was a natural leader, and I am fortunate 
to have counted him as my friend. He will be dearly missed by all those 
whose lives he touched.
  Mr. Speaker, as we adjourn today I ask that my colleagues join me in 
honoring this American patriot, Colonel John Joseph Murray.

[[Page E170]]



                          ____________________