[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 116 (Wednesday, July 11, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4909-S4910]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING ROGER L. SHERMAN
Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, I wish to acknowledge the loss of one of
West Virginia's brightest and recognize the life of a dedicated
advocate, educator, veteran, and good man: Roger L. Sherman.
Throughout his life, Roger was known for his dedication to
responsible forestry and the people of rural West Virginia. From
championing economic development to advancing graduate-level education,
Roger made significant contributions in the areas of public advocacy,
education, and community service that benefit West Virginians to this
day. Above all, Roger was highly regarded as a man of conscience, whose
integrity pervaded every aspect of his life and work.
A veteran, Roger served in the U.S. Army for 3 years until 1969. He
graduated from North Carolina State University with a bachelor's of
science in forestry and went on to obtain a master's degree in forestry
from Yale University. He joined Westvaco as public affairs forester in
1977, and from there, embarked on a more than 40-year career advancing
the interests of private landowners in West Virginia. During this time,
he served as volunteer chair of the legislative committee of the West
Virginia Forestry Association, WVFA, a position he held for 38 years.
He also received numerous awards and recognitions, including the
Outstanding Service to Forestry Award
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and the President's Service Award from the WVFA and the Society of
American Foresters' John A. Beale Memorial Award; and in 2011, he was
inducted into the West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame.
In addition to his storied career, Roger was an active participant in
his community and various organizations. He was a board member of the
West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and forcefully advocated for the
interests of rural West Virginia, organizing the informal rural caucus
in the West Virginia House of Delegates. He also organized and obtained
funding for a graduate-level course in economics that he cotaught with
professors at West Virginia University.
Above all, Roger was a man of faith and family. He is survived by his
beloved wife, Marlo, and son, Zachary, as well as his mother and
sister.
Roger's love of forestry and West Virginia lives on through the
positive impacts he made on the State and countless West Virginians. He
approached his job with integrity and positivity, and I think I speak
for many when I say he will be sorely missed. It was an honor to call
him a friend and fellow West Virginian.
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