[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 22, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E73]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. RICHARD ALLEN SHIRLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG LaMALFA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 22, 2019

  Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the storied life of 
one of my constituents, decorated Vietnam War veteran Richard Allen 
Shirley.
  On September 14, 1947 in the small town of Toppenish, Washington, our 
nation was blessed with Richard Shirley. A true patriot, Richard knew 
he wanted to serve our country, so he joined the United States 
Military. From 1964 to 1970, Richard proudly served six years in the 
United States Navy, four of those years aboard the USS Yorktown during 
the Vietnam War. While in the Navy, he earned several medals for his 
service, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam 
Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
  After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Richard moved to 
Biggs, California. For the next 46 years he worked at the Butte County 
Rice Growers Association in Richvale, California, where he met his wife 
Terry. During that time is when I had the pleasure of getting to know 
Richard. He was always friendly, helpful, and never without a smile. 
Richard was always beaming about his lovely family and the sense of 
fulfillment they constantly brought to his life.
  Seen as a father figure to many, Richard was the kind of man that 
would give someone the shirt off his back if they needed it. He often 
opened his home to strangers, and many of those strangers soon felt 
they were part of his extended family.
  On Sunday, January 20, 2019, we lost Richard Shirley to a difficult 
battle with cancer. The sadness that many in Butte County feel right 
now is immense, but we must take comfort in knowing that his legacy 
will not be forgotten. May the Lord continue to guide his family and 
may they be consoled by the knowledge that they too will see Richard 
again someday.
  Please join me and the constituents of California's First 
Congressional District in remembering and honoring the distinguished 
life of Richard Allen Shirley. He will be greatly missed.