[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 23, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H1012]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING LIFE OF DR. RONALD MERTHIE

  (Mrs. MURPHY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a 
spiritual leader in my central Florida community, Dr. Ronald Merthie, 
who recently passed away.
  A proud son of Seminole County, Dr. Merthie attended what is now 
known as Crooms Academy of Information Technology, where he was elected 
class president. He went to Texas Southern University on an athletic 
scholarship and, upon graduation, returned home to become an educator.
  Dr. Merthie struggled with substance abuse for a period of time, but 
he found strength through faith, overcoming personal hardship and 
becoming a pillar of his community.
  Dr. Merthie's life was filled with action and achievement. He 
established the New Life Word Center Church, offered spiritual guidance 
on a weekly broadcast, and founded a K-12 school.
  It was Dr. King who said, ``Life's most persistent and urgent 
question is, `What are you doing for others?' '' Dr. Merthie devoted 
his life to serving others, and he will be deeply missed.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this 
exceptional man and offer our condolences to his family and to all of 
those whose lives he touched.

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