[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 166 (Friday, October 5, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1370-E1371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE CAREER OF SERGEANT (RET.) RICHARD TAYLOR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 5, 2018

  Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today alongside my colleague, David 
Valadao, to honor Mr. Richard ``Dick'' Taylor, a community leader from 
Bakersfield, California. Mr. Taylor retired this year from his position 
as the Director of the Kern County Veterans Service Department 
following a lifelong career of service to his community and nation.
  Born and raised in Bakersfield, Dick attended East Bakersfield High 
School and Bakersfield College. Throughout his youth, he had a keen 
interest in the Armed Services and serving his nation, which pushed him 
to join the United States Marine Corps. During his military service, 
Dick served around the world, with deployments in South America and 
around the Mediterranean Sea. Additionally, he served as a sergeant in 
several infantry units with the First Marine Division, with the 1st 
Battalion 5th Marines and 2nd Battalion 5th Marines, serving as a 
Section Leader in an 81mm Mortar Platoon, then as the Battalion 
Armorer. Prior to leaving the Marines with an honorable discharge, Dick 
received many medals over his career of service, including the Marine 
Corps Good Conduct Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Sea Service 
Deployment ribbon.
  Upon returning to Bakersfield, Dick quickly re-immersed himself in 
the community he called home, working at his family's Goodyear 
dealership, which he operated as President and General Manager for 27 
years. Dick also got involved in matters impacting the state and 
county, serving as a delegate to the California Republican Party and 
also as a Field Representative for the California Off-Road Vehicle 
Association. He played a key role in establishing neighborhood watches 
across Kern County by partnering with the Kern County Sheriffs 
Department to deliver presentations to communities. For six years, Dick 
continued his service to our community by working as a Field 
Representative for Kern County Supervisor Mike Maggard. Today, Dick 
continues to serve as one of Kern County's Liaison Representatives for 
the Devil Pups Youth Program for America, where he counsels and trains 
Kern County's youth in moral and ethical citizenry.
  Despite his many accomplishments, Dick is best known in town for his 
dedication to helping the veterans of Kern County. As the Kern County 
Veterans Service Officer, Dick worked each day to promote and honor all 
veterans, connecting Kern County's approximately 47,000 local veteran 
heroes with the resources and services they fought and sacrificed so 
much for. He is a happy warrior with a tireless work ethic, and his 
passion for our community's veterans extends far beyond his desk at the 
Kern County Veterans Service Department. It is not uncommon to see Dick 
throughout Kern County supporting causes and organizations, such as 
Kern County Honor Flight, the Veterans History Project, and the Wounded 
Heroes Project. His efforts have directly made the Kern community a 
better, more supportive place for veterans to live.

[[Page E1371]]

  Over the years, we have been fortunate to consult with Dick on 
legislation concerning our veterans, and perhaps more than anything 
else, we are blessed to count him as a friend. As he begins this new 
chapter of his life, on behalf of our grateful nation and community, we 
wish him and his wife, Cheryl, all the best

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