[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 8, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO MAURICE L. ``MAURI'' WILLIAMSON

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. TODD ROKITA

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2017

  Mr. ROKITA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a prominent Hoosier 
leader and my dear friend, Mr. Maurice L. (Mauri) Williamson who passed 
away on January 30, 2017 surrounded by his loving family.
  Mauri was born in Economy, Indiana and spent his childhood 
participating in 4-H. He served in the Navy Medical Corps until 1946, 
after which he received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University 
in 1950. He was known throughout the state as the executive secretary 
of the Purdue University Ag Alumni Association, a position he held for 
37 years. During his Purdue career, Mauri helped found the National Ag 
Alumni Development Association (NAADA) and started the Ag Alumni Fish 
Fry.
  Mauri put a lot of care and dedication into his work. After 
graduating from Purdue, he returned to the family farm, but he soon 
found he was better suited spending his time with people rather than 
with plants and animals. In 1961, he founded the Pioneer Village at the 
Indiana State Fair to preserve and display the history of Indiana 
agriculture. Mauri held court there each summer, visiting with his 
ever-expanding legion of friends acquired through his lifetime 
commitment to Purdue and to agriculture. He had a deep love for the 
Indiana State Fair and only missed attending while serving in the Navy 
during World War II.
  I was first introduced to Mauri when I served as Indiana's Secretary 
of State. He made it clear to me, in the way only he could do, the 
importance of farming and agriculture community to the past, present 
and future of Indiana. Even today, my family, and especially my two 
young sons, enjoys the fruit of his labor each August when we visit the 
Pioneer Village at the best State Fair in the nation. As a member of 
Congress, I continue to keep our past conversations in mind when voting 
on agriculture issues.
  Mauri leaves June, his beloved wife of 68 years, two children, three 
grandchildren and five great grandchildren to carry on his legacy of 
service to fellow Hoosiers. I believe this world is a better place 
because of his compassionate service to our community, state and 
nation. Rest in peace, Mauri. He will not be forgotten.

                          ____________________