[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 27, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2186-S2187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        REMEMBERING ORLEY WAITE

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I celebrate the life of a remarkable 
American, Orley Waite, who passed away in February, just 2 months shy 
of his 100th birthday.
  I came to learn of Orley's extraordinary life and legacy from his 
granddaughter, who serves on my staff. Orley was part of our country's 
Greatest Generation, who helped secure Americans' and our allies' 
freedoms in World War II and then returned home to help build our 
country into the strongest in the world. Orley was born in Bunkerville, 
NV, but later made his home of 66 years in Huntington Park, CA. After 
attending Virgin Valley High School, where he excelled in track and 
field, football, and basketball, in 1941, he served a mission for the 
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Eastern States. He 
then joined the Army during World War II and served in Germany. His 
service included fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and helping 
liberate Dachau Concentration Camp.
  Orley returned from his World War II service and made a life and 
career in one of the most important ways possible: creating a family 
and shaping young minds to be ready for future success. He attended 
Utah Agricultural College, Utah State, where he met and married Mary 
Loughney on July 15, 1947. They moved to California, where Orley 
received his master's degree in education at the University of Southern 
California. He then dedicated more than 30 years to working for Los 
Angeles Unified School District. Throughout his career in education, he 
had many assignments, including math and science teacher, coach, and 
head counselor at Gage Junior High, Carmelita Junior High, Jordan High 
School, Fremont High School, and Fairfax High School. He influenced and 
encouraged many on their early educational paths and helped create 
opportunities as they learned and grew.
  He also contributed significantly of his time and talents to his 
community. As a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of 
Latter-day Saints, Orley held many leadership positions in the church, 
including bishopric counselor, bishop, stake presidency counselor, ward 
mission leader, seminary teacher, and high council member. He was also 
a member of the local Water Board for more than 50 years and served on 
the parks and recreation committee for the City of Huntington Park.
  Orley was a husband, father, teacher, missionary, church, and 
community leader and so much more to the many who knew him, loved him, 
and benefited from his remarkable life. As I honor Orley Waite, I 
extend my deep condolences to his friends and family, including his 
children and their spouses: Orley ``Bill'' Jr. and Carol; Wallace and 
Donna; Carole; Joseph and Gail; Robert and Melinda; Martha and Curtis 
Hadlock; Jesse and Victoria; his 22 grandchildren; and 37 great-
grandchildren. The current turmoil and atrocities our world is 
witnessing in Ukraine reinforce just how precious freedom is and how 
much World War II Veterans and American servicemembers before and since 
have given to secure the foundations we hold dear. Orley Waite left a 
lasting legacy for all Americans with his service to our Nation and his 
decades of advancing educational opportunities for so many. God bless 
him and his lovely family.

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