[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 60 (Wednesday, April 25, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING GERALD MICHAEL PACE, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2012

  Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks in 
honor of Gerald Michael Pace, Sr., a devoted public servant to the 
people of Salem and the Greater Roanoke Valley, who passed away 
suddenly on Wednesday, April 18, 2012.
  Born and raised in Pulaski, Jerry attended Pulaski High School, and 
graduated from Hampden-Sydney College. A committed student himself, 
Jerry was truly passionate about education. He was instrumental in 
helping to establish the Community College Access Program--a 
partnership between the Virginia Western Community College (VWCC), 
Salem Public Schools, and Roanoke City Public Schools, which allows 
high school graduates to attend VWCC without paying tuition. He was a 
scholar of the writings of the Apostle Paul and the Dead Sea Scrolls. 
And, he taught Sunday school classes on these topics at First United 
Methodist Church in Salem, and to civic and other community groups.
  Jerry served on the Salem School Board for 15 years and one term on 
the Salem City Council. He was a very proud, active member of the Board 
of Trustees of Virginia Intermont College in Bristol and of the Board 
of Directors of the Virginia Western Community College Foundation. A 
true go-getter, Jerry even spent time working as an adjunct professor 
at Virginia Western Community College, where he taught sales and 
marketing, industrial safety, algebra, and manufacturing processes.
  I am honored to pay tribute to his many contributions to the 
community. A husband, father, grandfather, businessman, community 
servant, educator, cancer survivor, friend to me and so many others, 
and storyteller to all, Jerry will be greatly missed. My thoughts and 
prayers go out to Jerry's family and friends. His legacy and influence 
will be long remembered across the Roanoke Valley and throughout 
Southwest Virginia.

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