[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 120 (Friday, July 9, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF REV. DR. ROGER RAYMOND FISCHER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUY RESCHENTHALER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 9, 2021

  Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of 
Rev. Dr. Roger Raymond Fischer, who passed away on July 1, 2021.
  A native of Washington, Pennsylvania, Rev. Fischer graduated from 
Washington High School in 1959. He attended Washington and Jefferson 
College in 1963, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and 
Physics. Later in life, he earned an honorary Doctor of Divinity from 
his alma mater.
  At the age of 25, Rev. Fischer was elected to the Pennsylvania House 
of Representatives for the 47th District, serving ten consecutive terms 
from 1966 to 1988. He was one of the youngest members elected in the 
history of the General Assembly, and served as Chairman of the House 
Education Committee and on the State Board of Education. After his 
retirement, Rev. Fischer became President of the Association of Retired 
Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate Members, sharing his 
wisdom with current legislators for nine terms. A dedicated citizen, he 
voted in every primary and general election from 1962 until the time of 
his death, which earned him a place in the Pennsylvania Voter Hall of 
Fame.
  After serving honorably as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, 
Rev. Fischer was still determined to contribute to our Nation's 
defense. He accepted a commission as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. 
Air Force Reserve, while continuing to work tirelessly for his 
community in the legislature. Rev. Fischer also gave back to his fellow 
veterans through his work with American Legion Post 175.
  Following his time as a legislator, Rev. Fischer felt a call from God 
to pursue ministry, earning a master's degree with honors from the 
Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg in 1991. In 1998, he was granted a 
Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. 
Rev. Fischer was ordained on January 13th, 1990, at First Lutheran 
Church, Washington, and went on to serve several churches in 
southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The last congregations he 
served were Calvary Lutheran in Scenery Hill, Buena Vista Presbyterian, 
and Hyland Brotheran.
  Throughout his life, Rev. Fischer was dedicated to fitness and 
endurance. He finished the Ironman Triathlon not once, but twice. Rev. 
Fischer ran multiple marathons across the U.S. and, at the age of 74, 
added the Disney World Marathon to his list. He elected to bike across 
America and hiked the entire 2,174.1-mile Appalachian Trail. Well-
traveled after discovering the passion with his wife of 48 years, 
Kitty, Rev. Fischer could proudly say he visited every continent except 
Antarctica.
  Madam Speaker, Rev. Dr. Roger Raymond Fischer led an incredibly 
accomplished life, one marked by dedication to God, community, and 
country. I have no doubt his legacy will live on in his community and 
across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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