[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2025]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING VERNE D. RIDER

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. MICHAEL G. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 31, 2012

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of a 
man I have had the distinct privilege of serving with during my time 
representing the people of Pennsylvania's 8th District, Verne D. Rider.
  With the conclusion of this 112th Congress, Verne will be retiring 
for the fourth time, but I am sure it will not be his last.
  Albert Einstein once claimed that ``a life lived in service to others 
is worth living.'' If Mr. Einstein is correct, Verne Rider's continued 
life of service to his country is an example to each of us a life worth 
living.
  When his country called him for the first time, Verne dedicated 
himself to decades of honorable service in the United States Air Force. 
During his proud military career, Verne flew missions over the fields 
of Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and the deserts of the Middle 
East as part of operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield.
  To this day, Verne always takes note of when he or one of his co-
workers is dressed in their ``Air Force Blue''. A true patriot, Verne's 
service in the Air Force is just one example of his drive to serve 
others in any way he can.
  Upon retiring from his time in the military, Verne recognized an 
opportunity to continue his service, this time in the name of his 
fellow veterans, including those who found themselves homeless and in 
need.
  As a generation of military men and women reaches retirement age, 
some find themselves in need of assistance and guidance through a 
complex and often frustrating bureaucratic VA Benefits system.
  When I began putting together my office staff for my first term in 
Congress I could think of no one better than Verne Rider to provide 8th 
District veterans with the help they needed. Whether that help comes in 
the form of a phone call to the VA, a letter to a federal agency, or 
often times just a shoulder to lean on, Verne is always ready and 
willing to do his best for his fellow veterans.
  During those first two years, Verne became a staple of the veteran 
community in my home of Bucks County, and was known across the district 
as a true friend to veterans.
  Between my terms in Congress, Verne insisted on continuing his 
service to his brothers in arms, and was able to fulfill a similar role 
for the late Senator Arlen Specter.
  I was fortunate enough to have Verne return to office with me for the 
112th Congress and everywhere I go, the veterans of my district remind 
me how lucky I am to have someone like Verne Rider on my staff.
  While Verne's retirement from my office for the second time marks an 
immediate loss to our organization, I have no doubt that this will not 
be the last we see of Verne in service to our country.
  I know this because I am able to share one of my proudest 
achievements as a member of Congress with Verne. Together, with the 
efforts of local leaders and allies in Washington, Verne and I were 
able to bring a national cemetery to Bucks County, providing our 
veterans with a final resting place on the historic grounds of 
Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania.
  Verne's continued work with the Guardians of the Washington Crossing 
National Cemetery will keep him firmly fixed in his position as a 
community leader.
  After a lifetime of service to his country and its veterans, Verne 
will continue to dedicate himself fully to the most important role of 
his life as a loving husband, proud father and new grandfather.
  On behalf of myself, my staff, and the people of Pennsylvania's 8th 
Congressional District, I extend my sincerest gratitude to Verne D. 
Rider for his decades of service to his country and to our community.
  We are all looking forward to seeing where your drive to serve others 
takes you next.

                          ____________________