[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 95 (Thursday, June 6, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E719-E720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND MILITARY SERVICE OF WORLD WAR II VETERAN, 
                          JOSEPH LEON MERRITT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 6, 2019

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 
the life and military service of World War II Veteran Joseph Leon 
Merritt. Mr. Merritt has always placed God and family first in his 
life, offering friendship and brotherly love to all those who crossed 
his path.
  Mr. Merritt was born on May 27, 1919, in Sturgis, Mississippi. He 
spent his early life in ltawamba County with his parents, Frank and 
Lula Lee Merritt, and his seven siblings. After the war, Mr. Merritt 
moved to Louisville, Mississippi where he still resides to this day.
  From 1942 to 1946, Mr. Merritt answered the call to serve our great 
nation in the U.S. Marines. Serving as a driver and bulldozer operator, 
Mr. Merritt rose to the rank of Corporal and was recognized for 
participating in actions

[[Page E720]]

against the enemy in Tarawa, Saipan, and Tinian. Mr. Merritt founded 
Merritt Plumbing Company in Louisville and worked there until his 
retirement in 1983.
  In 1945, Mr. Merritt married Gladys Taylor, and they remained 
together for almost 70 years. Upon Mr. Merritt's return from military 
service, the family grew to include two children, Joe Merritt and Carol 
Higginbotham. Mr. Merritt now has six grandchildren and five great-
grandchildren.
  Throughout his life and to this day, Mr. Merritt set an example for 
his children to follow. Mr. Merritt, a lifelong Christian, was an 
active member of Poplar Flat Baptist Church, where he served as Music 
Director for 50 years and was chosen to be a deacon of the church.
  On Memorial Day of 2019, Mr. Merritt celebrated his 100th birthday. 
Mr. Merritt is an American patriot who served our great nation and 
continues to set an example for others to follow. We wish him many more 
years of good health.

                          ____________________